Will Smith to Perform New Song at 2024 BET Awards

The rapper-actor is taking the stage at the June 30 show.

Will Smith performs at Coachella in April ARTURO HOLMES/GETTY IMAGES FOR COACHELLA

BET announced the news Monday morning but did not offer any further details about the song or performance.

Will Smith: Global Icon

“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 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 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 had starred in the hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air before embarking a successful film career, with hits like the Bad Boys franchise, 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.

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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 performed 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 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.