Entertainment
The Fresh Prince Returns Home: Will Smith Celebrated in Philly with Key to the City and Street Renaming
Mega
West Philadelphia-born and -raised Will Smith got a warm welcome when he returned to his hometown to be honored by Mayor Cherelle Parker, who gave him the key to the city and renamed a section of 59th Street next to his old high school “Will Smith Way.” “Philly, I love you. I am yours. You are mine,” Smith told the crowd at the ceremony.
“The name ‘The Fresh Prince’ was coined in that building,” the rapper turned actor said, pointing to nearby Overbrook High School.
“I added the ‘fresh’ because it was hip-hop slang.” He explained Philly was where he learned his strong work ethic and the need for a good education. “My mother would say all the time, ‘They can’t take what’s in your head, baby.’”
