WATCH: Will Smith performs new song 'You Can Make It' at BET Awards

Virgin Radio

1 Jul 2024, 15:02

Will Smith debuted his inspiring new single ‘You Can Make It’ at the BET Awards on Sunday (30th June) night.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Bad Boys actor debuted his new single with a powerful performance on stage at the Black Entertainment Television network’s live event.

Met with a standing ovation, Smith’s song and performance focused on the theme of people being able to successfully raise themselves from their darkest moments to greater heights through having faith.

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“The darker the hell you gotta endure / The brighter the heaven you get to enjoy / The harder the fall, the higher you soar / God opens a window when the devil closes the door,” the artist raps during the track.

The song makes reference to how he has faced some difficult moments in his career over the last few years, such as the fallout from his Oscars slap of Chris Rock which led to him being banned from the Academy’s events for 10 years.

“Believe me, they tried to bleed Will Smith / In the rearview, I see adversity was the gift / To lift me higher gifts requires faith,” the film star says in ‘You Can Make It’.

“So dry your eyes and then you’ll find a way / Out of the madness, out of the maze / And out of the saddest into the rays / The darkest of nights turns into day / And every storm runs out of rain….

“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,” the song continues.

It also ends with Smith reciting: “We are not being punished, we are being forged, dance in your darkest moments.”

‘You Can Make It’ features artists Chandler Moor, Kirk Franklin and the Sunday Service Choir, as well as Smith. 

The collaborative track marks the actor’s return to music after almost five years away from the art-form, alongside his Sean Paul collaboration ‘Light ‘Em Up’ which was released on the soundtrack of his latest film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

‘You Can Make It’ is out now.