BET announced that Oscar-winner and four-time GRAMMY winner Will Smith will take the stage to debut a new, original song during a live performance at the 2024 BET Awards. Smith’s most recent studio album, Lost and Found, came out in 2005; he last performed live at Coachella 2024 in April when he made a surprise cameo during J Balvin’s set.
Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, said in a press release announcing the performance: “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. We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed.”
Taraji P. Henson will be back to host the annual awards show for the third time on Sunday, June 30 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Smith will be joining a star-studded list of live performers including Lauryn Hill, YG Marley, Ice Spice, Tyla, GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey and Victoria Monét.
The show this year will pay special tribute to Usher, 45, who will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award. Previous Lifetime Achievement BET Award recipients include Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Jackson, Lionel Richie, New Edition and Busta Rhymes.
The 2024 BET Awards will air live on BET Sunday, June 30, at 8 p.m. ET/ PT.
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