I've been watching Will Smith since I was a kid. I idolized him on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Independence Day came out during a formative summer between middle school and high school. While I was never openly a fan of his music - being more into gangster rap - I secretly loved it. Standing in the 1,100-capacity, circa-1939 music venue in the heart of San Diego's North Park, I was amazed at how much of his music I remembered as he ran through hit after hit.
Smith, now 56, seemed to need this performance as much as his fans did. From the moment he kicked things off with "Gettin鈥� Jiggy Wit It," it was clear he was having the time of his life. Watching him on stage, smiling ear to ear, it felt like he was reliving the best moments of his career, and the joy was infectious.
Yet as incredible as the concert was, one question kept swirling in my mind: Why San Diego? Why The Observatory North Park, a relatively small venue, and why now when there's no tour or album to promote? Smith isn't on the road - 听these two nights in San Diego were his only performances stateside. His only other scheduled concerts are next summer in Orange, France.
Perhaps that's part of what made this so special. This wasn't just another stop on a long tour. It felt intentional, almost like Smith was testing the waters or reconnecting with fans in an unguarded, intimate way. The Observatory's smaller setting created an atmosphere where every attendee felt close, and the energy was electric.
Smith, now 56, seemed to need this performance as much as his fans did. From the moment he kicked things off with "Gettin鈥� Jiggy Wit It," it was clear he was having the time of his life. Watching him on stage, smiling ear to ear, it felt like he was reliving the best moments of his career, and the joy was infectious.
Yet as incredible as the concert was, one question kept swirling in my mind: Why San Diego? Why The Observatory North Park, a relatively small venue, and why now when there's no tour or album to promote? Smith isn't on the road - 听these two nights in San Diego were his only performances stateside. His only other scheduled concerts are next summer in Orange, France.
Perhaps that's part of what made this so special. This wasn't just another stop on a long tour. It felt intentional, almost like Smith was testing the waters or reconnecting with fans in an unguarded, intimate way. The Observatory's smaller setting created an atmosphere where every attendee felt close, and the energy was electric.
Between songs, Smith opened up about some of the highs and lows of his life. He addressed the notorious Oscars slap, calling it a low point and acknowledging how much he's learned from it.听
"In terms of the Oscars, the thing that was most painful for me is I responded to hate with hate, and that never works. It never, ever works. You know, the amount of other people that got hurt...and one of the ideas that came through as I kept running it over and over again in my mind, one of the things that landed, is everybody is going through something. Every single person is having a hard time with life."
Smith also discussed more current issues. He adamantly dismissed recent rumors linking him to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' legal troubles.听Combs, 55, is in federal custody in New York City after his September indictment on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
"The world we're in right now, it's really hard for ya'll to discern what's real and what's true," And I've been seeing ya'll memes...I see the memes. Some of it's funny. I haven't addressed any of this publicly, but I have to say this very clearly. I don't have shit to do with Puffy, so ya'll can stop all them memes...I ain't been nowhere near that man, ain't did none of that stupid shit. So whenever y'all hear it, if somebody say that, it's a damn lie."
These moments of vulnerability made the concert feel less like a performance and more like a conversation. Smith even signed merchandise for fans near the stage and performed the iconic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song, which turned the entire venue into a nostalgic singalong.
These moments of vulnerability made the concert feel less like a performance and more like a conversation. Smith even signed merchandise for fans near the stage and performed the iconic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song, which turned the entire venue into a nostalgic singalong.
The setlist featured all the classics, from "Men in Black" to "Miami," and even a brief playing of Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual" to get people doing the iconic Carlton dance.听One of the most powerful parts of the night was when Smith performed a new song, 鈥淵ou Can Make It,鈥� alongside America鈥檚 Got Talent finalist Brian King Joseph, whose violin performance elevated the track to something truly moving. It was a glimpse into Smith鈥檚 growth, both as an artist and a person, and it hit me in a way I wasn鈥檛 expecting.
For someone who has been part of our cultural fabric for decades, seeing Will Smith in such an intimate setting felt surreal. Watching him perform live was like seeing a modern-day god who has come to terms with his humanity. It was humbling and awe-inspiring all at once.
After the show, Smith's connection with the crowd didn't stop. He came outside, shook hands, hugged fans, and even interacted with a local street rapper, Joe Dreamz. Smith also used the moment to announce the release of a new single called "". I got a high five, which capped off the night in the best way possible.
This concert wasn't just about nostalgia; it was about evolution. Smith hasn't released a major album since 2005's Lost and Found, though he's teased new music in recent years. His last live performance before this was at the 2024 BET Awards to debut new material. The new songs he performed in San Diego, including "You Can Make It," showed off a matured perspective that left me curious about what鈥檚 next.
Will Smith didn't have to come to San Diego, but I'm so glad he did. Maybe he chose this city and this small venue because he wanted something real, something where he could connect with people on a deeper level. Whatever the reason, it was an unforgettable experience that reminded me - and everyone else there - why we fell in love with Will Smith in the first place.
For one night, I wasn't just a fan. I was a kid again, laughing and singing along to songs I hadn鈥檛 thought about in years. And that, more than anything, is what made this night so special.
For someone who has been part of our cultural fabric for decades, seeing Will Smith in such an intimate setting felt surreal. Watching him perform live was like seeing a modern-day god who has come to terms with his humanity. It was humbling and awe-inspiring all at once.
After the show, Smith's connection with the crowd didn't stop. He came outside, shook hands, hugged fans, and even interacted with a local street rapper, Joe Dreamz. Smith also used the moment to announce the release of a new single called "". I got a high five, which capped off the night in the best way possible.
This concert wasn't just about nostalgia; it was about evolution. Smith hasn't released a major album since 2005's Lost and Found, though he's teased new music in recent years. His last live performance before this was at the 2024 BET Awards to debut new material. The new songs he performed in San Diego, including "You Can Make It," showed off a matured perspective that left me curious about what鈥檚 next.
Will Smith didn't have to come to San Diego, but I'm so glad he did. Maybe he chose this city and this small venue because he wanted something real, something where he could connect with people on a deeper level. Whatever the reason, it was an unforgettable experience that reminded me - and everyone else there - why we fell in love with Will Smith in the first place.
For one night, I wasn't just a fan. I was a kid again, laughing and singing along to songs I hadn鈥檛 thought about in years. And that, more than anything, is what made this night so special.
Originally published on December 13, 2024.听
