Will Smith debuted his new single “You Can Make It” at the 2024 BET Awards, just two days after releasing the track that features Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir.
For his first-ever BET Awards performance, Smith stood on a circular podium in the middle of a ring of fire, backed by Chandler Moore and the Sunday Service Choir. Gospel icon Kirk Franklin made a surprise appearance to deliver a spoken-word sermon as Smith was joined by a robust group of backup singers, closing the song out on a positive note: “Nobody gets an easy ride / We all have a cross to bear / But there’s wisdom in the fire / And every moment is an opportunity / Embrace the journey,” he said.
Right before he released “You Can Make It,” he posted a video on Instagram with a caption explaining his intentions behind the song. “Through some of my darkest moments, music has always been there for me – to lift me and help me grow. It’s my humble wish that it can do the same for you and bring you all the joy and light you deserve,” he wrote.
In anticipation of “You Can Make It,” Smith has been teasing new music for a while. In May, he told Fandango that he had been in the studio for a few years, and hinted on his Instagram that his upcoming album may be titled “Dance in Your Darkest Moments.” Additionally, singer Teddy Swims said that he recently recorded a song with Smith and that “he’s the sweetest guy ever.”
Prior to his performance at the BET Awards, Smith hit the stage most recently at the “Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop,” where he joined DJ Jazzy Jeff for a medley of both solo and collaborative hits. The duo, who were the first rap act to receive a Grammy award for hip-hop in 1989 with “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” ran through songs including “Brand New Funk,” “Summertime” and Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy With It.” As he performed, his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith and children Willow and Jaden cheered him on from the audience.
The seasoned actor also returned to the big screen in the blockbuster “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which hit theaters in June. The film was a smash at the box office, grossing nearly $332 million worldwide and becoming the ninth-highest-grossing film of this year.
Coming off of the Bad Boys: Ride or Die premier, the actor and ‘Welcome to Miami’ singer, Will Smith, returns to the music scene with a new gospel-leaning single, “You Can Make It” released at midnight. In collaboration with artist Fridayy and featuring the soulful melodies of the Sunday Service Choir, this inspirational track aims to empower and remind listeners of their inner strength to overcome hardships.
The music will be distributed by minority-owned multi-featured music sound house SLANG Music Group, the single will be Smith’s first independent music release. Known for his dynamic presence in both the film and music industries, Smith is ready to reconnect with his fans with a powerful message of hope and perseverance.
Fans can anticipate an unforgettable live performance of “You Can Make It” premiering at the upcoming 2024 BET Awards on Sunday, June 30 at 8pm ET/7pm CT. This highly anticipated moment is expected to be a standout highlight of the event, showcasing not only Smith’s unparalleled talent and stage presence but also capturing the essence of his celebrated return to the music business.
Now available on all streaming platforms, “You Can Make It” also features a captivating lyric video on YouTube, providing a visual interpretation of its powerful message. Don’t miss the exclusive premiere and live performance at the BET Awards this weekend.
Will Smith, the Grammy Award-winning artist, has released his new song “You Can Make It,” featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir. The song debuted with a lyric video on Thursday and was officially released on Friday.
In the track, Smith collaborates with Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir, known for their work with Kanye West, to deliver an inspiring message about perseverance. As reported in Complex, Smith explains that a difficult journey leads to greater rewards, reflecting on his challenges, including the Oscars incident.
“Believe me, they tried to bleed Will Smith,” he raps. “In the rearview, I see adversity was the gift. To lift me higher, gifts require faith. So dry your eyes and then you’ll find a way.” He also reassures listeners that “madness” will eventually fade and the “darkest of nights will turn into days.”
Smith is set to perform this new track at the BET Awards on Sunday, marking his first major solo performance in years.
Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, expressed excitement about Smith’s return to the stage. “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,” she said. “We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed.”
Source: PR Newswire, Complex
