Will Smith releases new song and will perform at the 2024 BET Awards

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air takes back the microphone.

Will Smith will perform his new song “You Can Make It” at the 2024 BET Awards, the network announced Monday. The show, hosted by Taraji P. Henson, airs Sunday at 8 p.m. ET and PT.

Smith’s new release, which is about perseverance in difficult times, was released on Friday. The single also features vocals from singer Fridayy and gospel group Sunday Service Choir.

“In some of my darkest moments, music has always been there for me – to lift me up and help me grow. It is my humble wish that it can do the same for you and bring you all the joy and light you deserve,” Smith wrote of the song, adding a video of him playing the tune on the piano.

Childish Gambino, Megan Thee Stallion and Keke Palmer to perform at the 2024 BET Awards

According to The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard, Childish Gambino, Chlöe, Coco Jones, Keke Palmer, Marsha Ambrosius and Summer Walker were also included in the awards ceremony’s field on Friday.

Previously announced artists included Victoria Monét, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Ms. Lauryn Hill and YG Marley, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey and Tyla.

Megan Thee Stallion is set to open the show. BET will also present Usher with the Lifetime Achievement BET Award.

Is Will Smith making a musical comeback?

The Oscar and Grammy winner, who has been busy promoting his latest film in the “Bad Boys” series, has made a few surprise appearances recently.

In April, Smith joined J. Balvin onstage to rap his Grammy-winning song “Men In Black” while dressed as his character from the 1997 film.

As he rode up to the premiere of “Ride or Die” in Hollywood last month on a double-decker bus with co-star Martin Lawrence, Smith gave a brief performance of his 1997 song “Miami” as an ode to his character, a Miami Police detective.

Smith’s last single as a lead artist was 2017’s “Get Lit,” although he was recently featured on the Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack with a collaboration with Sean Paul titled “Light Em Up.”

Before his acting career began with “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and reached a major milestone in 2022 with an Oscar win for “King Richard” (a moment that was overshadowed by his slap on host Chris Rock earlier in the ceremony onstage), Smith won four Grammy Awards as a rapper.

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In 1989, he won the award for Best Rap Performance for “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” which was featured on DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s second album, He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. Three years later, he and DJ Jazzy Jeff, aka Jeff Townes, won in the same category for their song “Summertime.”

Smith won the award for Best Rap Solo Performance twice for “Men In Black” (1998) and “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” (1999).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Smith’s new song released: Actor to perform at BET Awards