Will Smith will make a return to music this Sunday, June 30, at the 2024 BET Awards, where he will debut his first solo song in over five years, per people.com. The Oscar and Grammy-winning superstar is set to perform live on stage, adding to the excitement of the event, which will be hosted by Taraji P. Henson.
“From his start as a rapper to The Fresh Prince to being a box office king as one of the Bad Boys, Will Smith is truly a global icon, and we are honoured to welcome him back to grace the BET Awards stage,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed.”
Smith’s return to music will join a star-studded lineup that includes Ice Spice, Tyla, Victoria Monét, GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red and Shaboozey. Additionally, Ms. Lauryn Hill will perform with her son, YG Marley, while country star Tanner Adell will take the BET Amplified stage. The event will also honour Usher with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
While details about Smith’s new song remain under wraps, it will mark his first major release since his 2005 album Lost and Found. His last single, “Get Lit,” dropped in 2017. Since then, the Bad Boys: Ride or Die actor has released only a few musical collaborations with artistes like Bad Bunny, Marc Anthony and Joyner Lucas.
Smith’s last live performance was at Coachella 2024, where he made a surprise appearance during J Balvin’s set, performing the “Men in Black” theme in full Agent J costume. In conjunction with his latest film, Smith collaborated with Sean Paul for the soundtrack song “Light Em Up.”
Looking ahead, Smith hinted at more music on the horizon. “I have a project that is, without question, the most personal and powerful music that I’ve ever made,” he told Extra. “So, you know, I’m going to sneak that out on you in a month or so.”
Fans can tune in to the BET Awards this Sunday to witness the return of Big Willie and his newest musical creation.
- Featured image: Will Smith performs at Coachella in Indio, California on April 14, 2024/Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
