Will Smith’s controversial actions at the 2022 Oscars reverberated globally, but since then, the 55-year-old actor has been focused on redirecting his focus, returning to his musical roots. He unveiled his first new song since 2017 at the BET Awards on Sunday night.
Smith, an Academy Award-winning actor and four-time Grammy Award-winning rapper, graced the BET stage alongside collaborators Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir to perform his latest single, “You Can Make It,” which was released on Friday.
Surrounded by a ring of fire, Smith addressed the audience before singing, stating, “I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but whatever’s going on in your life, I’m here to tell you you can make it.”
Contemporary gospel artist Kirk Franklin also joined Smith on stage to amplify the song’s message of resilience and hope.
“The harder you fall, the higher you soar,” Smith rapped. “Just because I’m stuck on a bad chapter, it doesn’t mean, in my life, I’ve got to throw away the whole book,” Franklin added.
The “Fresh Prince” hinted at his new song on social media before its release, expressing his excitement about performing it at the BET Awards. “Through some of my darkest moments, music has always been there for me—to lift me and help me grow,” he said. “It’s my humble wish that it can do the same for you and bring you all the joy and light you deserve.”
Smith began his music career as one half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. He then achieved Hollywood stardom portraying a fictionalized version of himself in the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which aired from 1990 to 1996. After starring in numerous blockbuster films including Bad Boys and Independence Day, he starred in the first installment of the sci-fi movie franchise Men in Black in 1997 and launched his solo music career with its chart-topping original theme song. His debut solo album went on to become one of the best-selling rap records of all time.
His stellar reputation, however, took a hit after the incident at the 2022 Oscars, where he won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Venus and Serena Williams’ father in King Richard. He later apologized for his outburst, which was apparently triggered by Rock’s joke about the hair of Jada Pinkett-Smith, Smith’s wife who suffers from alopecia.
Despite this, Smith’s career appears to be flourishing again. The was released in June, and he joined reggaeton artist at Coachella in April for a .
He might have more music in the works. “I have a project that is, without question, the most personal and powerful music that I’ve ever made,” . “So, you know, I’m going to sneak that out on you in a month or so.”
