Will Smith is set to perform a brand new song at the upcoming 2024 BET Awards.
Taking place on June 30, Smith will premiere an as-yet-unknown new single exclusively at the 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,” Connie Orlando, EVP specials, music programming and music strategy at BET, said in a statement.
She added: “We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed.”
Taraji P. Henson will host the awards for the third time, with confirmed performers for the night including GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Lauryn Hill and Sexyy Red.
Will Smith has been quietly making moves back into music in recent months.
First, he made a surprise appearance during J Balvin’s set at Coachella to perform his classic hit “Men in Black”.
Smith appeared wearing his black suit and sunglasses from the classic 1997 film of the same name for a rendition of the Grammy-winning hit.
The elaborate, alien-themed performance saw Balvin dragged off stage by dancers in matching black suits as The Fresh Prince pulled out a “Neuralyzer,” a fictional device from the sci-fi comedy that erases memories.
He also returned with his first new music in nearly five years with his Sean Paul collaboration “Light Em Up,” which was featured on the Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack.
Over a hard-hitting, dancehall-flavored beat, Smith showcased his agility on the mic with different flows, while reminding listeners that he hasn’t missed a beat since the days of Big Willie Style.
“Back in this bitch like I never left/ The Devil came for me, should have worn a vest/ You thought I lost something, I ain’t miss a step/ You want some old me? Say less,” he raps.
He continues: “I’m bad to the bone when I get it rocking/ I’m back in my zone, ’bout to get it popping/ Will still plugged in, yeah, it’s pretty shocking/ Like a brand new Porsche, I got plenty options.”
