Will Smith was ready to go home on July 4 night. Then he got a call from ‘Mrs. Mayor.’
The "West Philadelphia, born and raised" rapper and actor took the stage on Ben Franklin Parkway after midnight, thanks to a rain delay. He also visited the new Joe Frazier statue while in town.
Will Smith was ready to go home.
On Saturday night, a violent storm seemed to spell the end of Philadelphia’s music and fireworks celebration of America’s 250th birthday on the Ben Franklin Parkway. The West Philly rapper and actor was back at his hotel, with his scheduled reunion with his musical partner DJ Jazzy Jeff seemingly called off.
Then he got a phone call from “Mrs. Mayor.”
“The mayor called and asked would we go on at midnight,” Smith said in a video posted on his Instagram account on Monday, referring to Cherelle L. Parker, who he referred to as “Mrs. Mayor” on stage when he finally got to perform at the One Philly: United for America concert.
Of course he would go on at midnight, backed by the Roots, in a special occasion hometown show. It didn’t matter that the weather wound up delaying it from July 4 to the wee hours of July 5.
“This is me,” he said, making a face, as if that would even be a question. “This is me!”
Smith’s Instagram recap of his Independence Day weekend adventures included a clip from his show closing set — which actually began after 2 a.m. — featuring a shot of the Mayor rapping along to the line in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song about being “West Philadelphia, born and raised.”
During the show, which turned out to be the climactic set of the night since scheduled headliner Christina Aguilera did not perform, Smith got specific about his origins. He also spoke of the history he shares with his musical partner, whose given name is Jeffrey Townes, and Roots drummer Ahmir “Questlove’ Thompson.
» READ MORE: The Roots, Will Smith, and Meek Mill carried Philly’s Independence Day concert into July 5
“59th and Woodcrest,” he said, while parading around the stage in a red Phillies cap and jersey. “I was born and raised at 59th and Woodcrest. DJ Jazzy Jeff, 57th and Rodman. Quest, 52nd and Osage.
“And only a couple thousand yards from here, the dream of this country was born. From the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, we sent our message out to the entire world.”
Along with a closing performance of the 1991 DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince hit and Philly seasonal anthem “Summertime,” the show also included a display of Townes demonstrating his unparalleled turntable skills.
While Townes dazzled, Smith played air DJ, and Questlove sat on his drum throne capturing the moment on his phone, seemingly in awe. Watch that clip below.
On Instagram, Smith also posted a photo from rehearsals with the Roots, with Townes wearing a “Respect the Architects” T-shirt.
And the rapper and star of Ali also shared a clip of his visit to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the newly installed statue of Philly heavy weight champion boxer Joe Frazier.
“Philly LEGEND ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier right HERE!” he posted. “You kids have no CLUE about that left hook.”
