Will Smith performed The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s opening theme song as the character Will Smith.
The theme introduces Will’s move from West Philadelphia to live with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air. Its storytelling lyrics summarize the premise, including the famous basketball-court encounter and the taxi ride to California. Smith had already achieved recognition as part of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince before the television series became a major hit.
The song is commonly called “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song,” although its performer is credited through Smith’s stage identity, The Fresh Prince. DJ Jazzy Jeff appears in the opening sequence and was Smith’s musical partner, but he did not perform the rap vocals heard in the theme. The song’s unusually clear plot summary helped make it one of television’s most recognizable sitcom openings.