Will Smith returning to awards-show stage — to debut ‘new original song’
(NEXSTAR) – Will Smith is planning to take the stage at Sunday’s BET Awards to perform a song, a press release for the ceremony teased.
The actor, 55, had recently teamed with Sean Paul to record a song called “Light Em Up” for his latest “Bad Boys” installment (“Bad Boys: Ride or Die”), though BET has indicated that Smith will be debuting a completely “new original song” at Sunday’s ceremony.
“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 honored to welcome him back to grace the BET Awards stage,” said Connie Orlando, the executive vice president of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, in the press release. “We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed.”
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Smith, who began his career in music, had released five albums as part of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, followed by four albums as a solo artist — the last of which, “Lost and Found,” was released in 2005. He has continued to release non-album singles, appear as a featured artist (sometimes on remixed songs) and contribute music to films.
In April, Smith also performed his 1997 hit “Men In Black” — written for the movie of the same name — during a surprise appearance during J Balvin’s set at Coachella.
Will Smith takes the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, in April 2024 to perform “Men in Black” during J Balvin’s set. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Coachella)
BET has not disclosed any further details concerning Smith’s upcoming appearance.
This Sunday’s performance also marks one of Smith’s only major awards-show appearances since the 94th Academy Awards, during which he took the stage to slap Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Smith’s wife.
Smith won a Best Actor award later that evening, but was ultimately banned from attending any Academy event for 10 years.
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Aside from Smith, Sunday’s BET Awards is scheduled to feature performances by Ice Spice, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla, and Lauryn Hill with YG Marley, among others. Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson is hosting.
The BET Awards airs Sunday, June 30 at 8 p.m.
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