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New “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” has Solid Premiere
Last week FM Hip Hop covered the upcoming premiere of the reimagined “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” The time finally arrived on February 13, 2022. The New “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” with Jabri Banks reprising Will Smith’s character aired on NBC.
The Original “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” Gives Way to the New
The original “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” aired in the fall of 1990. It was a show no one expected; After the first few episodes, the show demonstrated tremendous promise. No one thought Smith could pull it off. He was a rapper. And little did Will know the show would grow into the success it became. Thirty-two years later, we stand once more waiting to see if the” Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” will do for this generation what it did for the last.
New Look but Same Relevancy
From the onset, clearly, the new show could not be compared to the original. It is not a show to be graded on its nostalgic factor alone. As a source notes,
“Bel-Air is not just another crass cash-in looking to leverage nostalgia for an easy win.”
We couldn’t agree more. Assuredly, no one can deny the power and strength of the storyline. Although the new show repackages content, the context remains exceptionally relevant.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Cast
Will was on to something when he selected the cast members for the show. The characters are complete opposites of those on the original at face value. However, after watching it for a while, you see beyond the characters to the characterization.
“The blending of the old and new instantly elevates what could have been a flat and uninspired re-tread into a completely different league,”
That is keeping it one hundred.
So kudos to Smith; the casting choice is on point.
Jabri Banks The New Fresh Prince in Bel-Air
Photo Credit: www.newsweek.com
Before the premiere, Jabari Banks gave the world a little insight into some advice Will gave him. Smith told Banks the best way he could fulfill the role of the Fresh Prince was to be himself. At the time, Banks response was,
“So I’m leaning on my instincts and my upbringing to guide me through this.”
Without a doubt, those pearls of wisdom stuck with Banks. The budding star didn’t merely lean in; he straight-killed it in the premiere. There is so much of Will in Banks. If one looks a certain way, one cannot help but see the likeness. But, of course, it doesn’t hurt that Banks acting clears the bar. We can’t say enough; Banks understood the assignment. And Smith wasn’t playing around when he tapped members of the cast.
The new “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” is on its way to becoming a cultural marker with as much success as the original. We are hoping the momentum continues. Props to the cast on a job well done.
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Written by Renae Richardson
Are you interested in other ways Will Smith is making headlines? Then check out FM Hip Hop’s retrospective articles.
