Author: Ricardo Arriaga

Posted: Dec 23, 2024

The Fresh Prince delivers to San Diego an energetic performance full of life in an intimate venue. One month before the show, Will Smith announced the visit to share his musical journey on stage. But what would the event entail you might ask? Is it going to be a full on concert? Is it going to be a moderated panel? An interview? Nonetheless, San Diego was eager to welcome the Fresh Prince. Two sold out nights at the Observatory North Park,proves that he succeeded in making the crowd party like the 90’s.

Upon entering the venue, we could see the stage was set with a full-band set up. No openers needed to set the mood. The Fresh Prince wasted no time getting the crowd pumped up. Lights went out and his voice filled the room with excitement. He kicked the show off with an unreleased track titled “Lookin For Me” and the full band blasted off in unison matching Will’s energy. He commanded the stage, spirits were high all around the room including from the venue staff who could not resist taking a quick glance at Will Smith. 

Soon after, Will transitions to the classics and the crowd was “Gettin Jiggy Wit It”. His charisma and energy stays intact to keep the performance electric. Two songs became fused together for Smith to conduct an interactive call and response with the fans. “Switch” and the theme for “Fresh Prince of Bel- Air“ brought the crowd together for a spectacular showcase of community. Will couldn’t resist playing Tom Jones’ “Not Unusual”  and got down to the Carlton dance.

The mood shifts and Will takes a seat. The lights dim down and the spotlight’s on him. He brings up his past and gets personal on the struggles of being a hip hop artist in the late 80’s. Explaining the decision on accepting the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” gig in order to support the new life for his family. He gets existential, remeniscing his time with Quincy Jones and James Avery. Discussing his realization that time on earth “it ain’t promised… damn I’m up next.” He realizes the crowd is worried for him and laughs while jokingly responding “NOT TONIGHT!” He then opens up on becoming a father. How every choice he makes from now on will not only affect the livelihood of himself. Inspired from the moment of holding his son for the first time, he wrote “Just The Two of Us”. The band sneaks in the music and Will begins to sing in this heartfelt moment as the crowd sings along to the Bill Withers sample.

He immediately brings the spirit back with “Miami”, “Wild Wild West”, and “Men in Black” back to back to back. The crowd erupts alongside the colorful lighting spilling into the room. Will, getting into the fun, hypes the drummer up. This builds up the finale of the songs with the back up singers reaching a crescendo and finally adding in an electric mix to “Men In Black”, turning the room into an EDM festival. “Bounce with me, just bounce with me!”

Will is fired up and takes off his jacket and gets comfortable one last time with the audience. Brings out a violinist to set the mood and reflects on his Oscar controversy. “Oh y’all heard about that?” He then mentions regret of it and reinforces that hate should never be responded to with hate. He came to the conclusion that everybody is facing obstacles. “Take a second and tune in to the people standing around you. You have no idea what people are going through. Look around, life is undefeated, life wins always. So right now send some love to everyone standing around you. Let them know they can make it.” Will singles out multiple people and points to them “You Can Make It.” A gospel-like sound rings out and Will begins to sing in poetic rhythm. Phone lights are shining on and the audience sways back and forth. The song concludes and Will proclaims to us “Love is the final answer”. 

After playing his more recently-released material, “Work of Art”, and an unreleased uplifting track, “Bulletproof”, Will Smith and the band continue to display their art in shifting the mood. He thanks San Diego and asks the crowd to stick around for a surprise announcement outside the venue after the show. As beach balls are thrown into the crowd, the Fresh Prince plays his final song of the night–a fan favorite “Summertime”. The crowd is left with smiles. Will Smith has left the building and the band finishes with a bang! Will Smith is seen walking with the crowd, rejoicing with the people, and having a heart-to-heart moment with a wheelchair-bound fan. As he approaches a mobile LED billboard, he announces the release of the new single “Tantrum” with Joyner Lucas. The people cheer on and chant “Will! Will! Will!...” as he walks away back into the venue waving goodbye. San Diego has witnessed the return of Will Smith and has regained his love, brought forth by the art of expressing himself through music again.

📸/✍️: Ricardo Arriaga @aurorealis64