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.

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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