Will Smith Flips the Switch With New Song at BET Awards 2024

01/07/2024

Originally appeared on E! Online

The 2024 Bet Awards has officially been flipped-turned upside down—all thanks to Will Smith.

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air alum graced the stage at the award show held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 30 to perform his new single "You Can Make It" about redemption. (And for even more highlights, check out every star in attendance here.)

Appearing in a ring of fire on the stage, Will rapped about enduring through difficult times alongside The Sunday Service Choir.

"The darker the hell you gotta endure, the brighter the heaven you get to enjoy," he sang. "Every storm runs out of rain, hold on."

Will's performance—his first solo show in the wake of his 2022 Oscars slap—also encouraged listeners to dance in their darkest times.

"Nobody gets an easy ride. We all have a cross to bear," the 55-year-old rapped. "But there is wisdom in that fire."

The debut of his catchy ballad serves as his first solo song released in more than six years—but it isn’t the first time in recent months that Will has picked his mic back up.

In fact, the Men in Black star made a surprise appearance during J Balvin’s performance at Coachella 2024, recreating his iconic rap and dance moves from the 1997 music video that accompanied his single for the movie.

And prior to that, the “Summertime” musician teamed back with up with longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2017 to release their EDM track, "Get Lit.”

will smith flips the switch with new song at bet awards 2024

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The duo debuted their song at the Livewire Festival, with the Hitch star revealing the motivation behind the record at the time.

"People can say stuff to you,” he told the crowd, per NME, “and tell you, you can’t do and you know you can. But when they tell you that it kind of knocks you down a bit, right, so I wanted to make a record that reminded each and every one of y’all to let your light shine.”

But Will isn’t the only one shining at this year’s event. Get a glimpse at every celeb at the 2024 BET Awards.