Will Smith joined by DJ Khaled, Thalía for electric Premio Lo Nuestro performance

USA Today

21-02-2025

Will Smith joined by DJ Khaled, Thalía for electric Premio Lo Nuestro performance
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Will Smith poses in an all black look at the 2025 Grammys
Will Smith is all smiles at the 2025 Grammys.
Entertain This!
Will Smith is back in Miami, and he's ready to ir de fiesta.
The Oscar-winning actor and rapper, who's been readying his return to music this past year, embraced a Latin flavor for his performance at the 2025 Premio Lo Nuestro awards on Thursday night.
Smith's performance opened with a tantalizing duet with Spanish singer India Martínez. Rapping over a stirring flamenco guitar track, Smith and Martínez performed their emotional collaboration "First Love," which was released on Valentine's Day.
The "Miami" emcee was then joined by hip-hop peer DJ Khaled for a throwback performance of his 1998 hit. "You know you can't come to the 305 and just give us one. You're gonna have to give us another one," Khaled teased.
After a quick wardrobe change, Smith strutted across Miami's Kaseya Center as he rapped the song's feel-good lyrics. "Here I am, in the place where I come let go/ In Miami the bass and the sunset low," Smith boasted.
Smith and Khaled received a boost of star power when Latin pop star Thalía emerged onstage to close out the medley performance. The dynamic trio gyrated in unison for a quick salsa-style combination before launching into a spirited rendition of Miami Sound Machine's '80s hit "Conga."
Earlier this week, the Grammy-winning rapper reflected on his musical rebirth during a surprise appearance at a "First Love" release party co-hosted by Neon16.
"This is a really beautiful time for me as I'm starting to release new music," said Smith, according to footage shared on social media. "I've had a couple of years of really wonderful introspection, and I've had some beautiful revelations. I'm having a ball trying to express these things artistically."
Will Smith announces new album: Actor previews pivot back to music
Will Smith's year of soft-launching his next album
Smith's performance comes as the rapper is gearing up for his first album release in 20 years. Smith revealed in January that "Based on a True Story," which follows 2005's "Lost and Found," is expected to drop in March.
To complement the album announcement, Smith released "Beautiful Scars," a collaboration with fellow rapper Big Sean. A lengthy, reflective track that chronicles either man's journey to self-understanding, "Beautiful Scars" layers rap verses over an auto-tune heavy chorus.
Smith has been soft launching his comeback for nearly a year, releasing several singles with high-profile collaborators. The album will include those tracks — "You Can Make it," "Work of Art" and "Tantrum" — made alongside rappers Russ, Joyner Lucas and Smith's son Jaden.
Will Smith at BET Awards: Rapper performs uplifting track 'You Can Make It'
"You Can Make It," which features Fridayy and Sunday Service Choir, hit No. 1 on Billboard's Gospel Airplay Chart in June. The last time Smith held a No. 1 spot was in 1997 with "Gettin' Jiggy With It."
Smith performed the song at the 2024 BET Awards, one of a number of live performances and festivals that have also laid the groundwork for his pivot back to music.
Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY