Will Smith is set to perform a brand-new song at the upcoming BET Awards.
BET announced the news Monday morning but did not offer any further details about the song or performance.
“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, executive vp specials, music programming and 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, of course, made it big as one-half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, with hits including “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” “A Nightmare on My Street” and “Summertime,” before launching a successful solo career (“Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” “Miami”).
He went on to star in the hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air before embarking a successful film career, with hits including the Bad Boys franchise, the Men in Black franchise and Independence Day. He has been nominated for an Oscar four times, winning best leading actor in 2022 for King Richard. That also was the year of the infamous slapping incident, wherein Smith took to the stage and physically assaulted presenter Chris Rock after the latter made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith later apologized and announced he was resigning from the Academy and has been banned from appearing at Academy events for 10 years.
In April, Smith hit the stage at Coachella with J. Balvin to perform his hit song “Men in Black,” from the 1997 box office blockbuster film of the same name.
Taraji P. Henson is set to host the 2024 BET Awards, where Usher will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The show is set to air live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on June 30 on BET.
Also set to perform are GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Ms. Lauryn Hill &YG Marley, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla and Victoria Monét. Tanner Adell will perform on the BET Amplified stage.
Drake leads the BET Awards nominees with a total of seven mentions. Nominees were selected by a voting academy of music industry insiders, performers and presenters. Viewers can vote on the Viewer’s Choice Award through 6:30 p.m. PT on June 30.
Orlando will oversee and executive produce the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, senior vp tentpoles and music community engagement, to also executive producing. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive pProducers.
In conjunction with the awards, BETX 2024 Fan Fest, a free, all-ages two-day cultural festival, will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on June 28 and 29.
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