Will Smith says 'nobody gets an easy ride' as he makes stage debut at BET Awards with his latest single 'You Can Make It'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Will Smith gave a memorable performance at the BET Awards 2024 where he debuted his latest single ‘You Can Make It.’

The Oscar-winning actor began rapping with a burning fire pit at the center of the stage as he sang, "You are in the smoke and the fire / Tight rope on the wires / I see you’re broken and tired / And all your hope is expired / You’re just done with the change and the games and the shame / And the world is insane all the pain from the flames that you walk through."

Will Smith delivered a motivational message for the crowd after his performance

Smith was joined by Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, and the Sunday Service choir as he went on with his uplifting track through a rainstorm onstage.

The star finished his performance with a motivational message for the crowd. "Nobody gets an easy ride. We all have a cross to bear, but there is wisdom in that fire. And every single moment of your life is a brand new opportunity," Smith said.

"We are not being punished; we are being forged. Dance in your darkest moments," he added.

The organizers revealed Smith as a special performer just before the release of his new single which came out on Friday, June 28, reports People.

"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 & Music Strategy at BET, said in a statement.

Going back to his rapping days, in 1989, Smith made history as the first rapper to win a Grammy under his moniker, the Fresh Prince.

Along with DJ Jazzy, he bagged the award for best rap performance for their 1988 hit single 'Parents Just Don't Understand.'

Fans rejoice Will Smith's return to rap music at BET Awards

Netizens praised Smith for his new single track and outstanding performance. 

One of his fans wrote on Facebook, "I enjoyed it! It was inspirational! He had a standing ovation!"

"I thought his roots were "in West Philadelphia where he was born and raised and on the playground is where he spend most of his days"" a second fan commented.

Another wrote, "OK, I'm here for the Will Smith comeback tour! Could never make me hate him."

A user said, "It really is a good song! Seems like he is self-reflecting. The message at the end of the song really hit home. Great job, Will."

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