Will Smith Sets BET Awards Ablaze with New Hit “You Can Make It”

On Sunday night, Will Smith returned powerfully to the BET Awards stage introducing his new song, “You Can Make It.” Smith had an amazing performance that astounded the audience accompanied by the Sunday Service Choir, Chandler Moore, and Kirk Franklin.

Smith started the performance rapping inspirational songs like, “The darker the hell you gotta endure / The brighter the heaven you get to enjoy,” from within a set meant to mimic lava and fire. The Sunday Service Choir, Fridayy, and Franklin joined him as the performance went on to give the act layers of passion and intensity. The last scene showed a fake rain quenching the fire to represent optimism and rebirth.

Smith posted a video of the performance on Twitter following the show under the phrase “I have returned Home!” Always, the rebound exceeds the setback. After BET revealed Smith’s involvement last week, which described him as a global legend and highlighted his varied career from rapper to actor, this unexpected appearance was much awaited.

Smith debuted the song starring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir before the awards. Highlighting the song’s message on Instagram, the choir said, “Will Smith reminds us of that common connection! That if you’re ready, dark places have life lessons!

Beginning as part of the hip-hop group DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and then starring in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Smith’s career spans decades. With hits like the “Bad Boys” and “Men in Black” series, he started to shine mostly at the box office. With his brilliance and resiliency, Smith inspires even with recent controversies including the infamous encounter with Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Hosted by Taraji P. Henson, the 2024 BET Awards paid respect to Usher with the lifetime achievement award and broadcast live from Downtown Los Angeles.