Will Smith returning to awards-show stage — to debut 'new original song'
(NEXSTAR) – Will Smith is planning to take the stage at Sunday’s BET Awards to perform a song, a press release for the ceremony teased.
The actor, 55, had recently teamed with Sean Paul to record a song called "Light Em Up" for his latest "Bad Boys" installment (“Bad Boys: Ride or Die”), though BET has indicated that Smith will be debuting a completely "new original song" at Sunday’s ceremony.
"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,” said Connie Orlando, the executive vice president of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, in the press release. “We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed."
Smith, who began his career in music, had released five albums as part of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, followed by four albums as a solo artist — the last of which, “Lost and Found,” was released in 2005. He has continued to release non-album singles, appear as a featured artist (sometimes on remixed songs) and contribute music to films.
In April, Smith also performed his 1997 hit “Men In Black” — written for the movie of the same name — during a surprise appearance during J Balvin’s set at Coachella.
BET has not disclosed any further details concerning Smith’s upcoming appearance.
This Sunday’s performance also marks one of Smith’s only major awards-show appearances since the 94th Academy Awards, during which he took the stage to slap Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Smith’s wife.
Smith won a Best Actor award later that evening, but was ultimately banned from attending any Academy event for 10 years.
Aside from Smith, Sunday’s BET Awards is scheduled to feature performances by Ice Spice, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla, and Lauryn Hill with YG Marley, among others. Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson is hosting.
The BET Awards airs Sunday, June 30 at 8 p.m.