The BET Awards, established in 2001, have long been a platform to celebrate black entertainers and other minorities in music. However, this year’s performance by Will Smith and Kirk Franklin has sparked controversy among some viewers.
On Sunday night, Will Smith took the stage at the BET Awards to debut his new song “You Can Make It.” He was joined by gospel singer Kirk Franklin. While many attendees cheered and applauded, some Virginians expressed their dissatisfaction on social media.
L Prescott felt that the imagery used in the performance was inappropriate. He commented, I found the ‘Friday & Sunday Service Choir’ singing about God with images of hellfire all around troubling.
He labeled it blasphemous and questioned why more uplifting imagery wasn’t used.
Differing Opinions on Performance
J Hamm mentioned that she had stopped watching the BET Awards due to perceived changes in the show’s tone over the years. Another viewer, S Johns, went as far as to say that Franklin had betrayed his faith, comparing his actions to a Dallas Cowboys fan praising his team while wearing Washington Commanders gear.
Kirk Franklin’s Role Questioned
G Pendleton, another concerned viewer, expressed disappointment over Franklin’s participation. She stated, Franklin is supposed to be preaching the dangers of hell and singing praises of the Almighty
, but instead, it felt like they were giving praise to the opposite side.
Sparking Debate Over Faith and Lyrics
The ire wasn’t limited to visuals. Several individuals took issue with a particular lyric from Smith’s song that goes, If God is real
. For many, this line seemed more an expression of doubt than faith.
Despite these criticisms, the performance did capture the audience’s attention and stirred plenty of discussions afterward. The reviews for performances like these often highlight varying opinions between critics and audiences.
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