The streets of West Philadelphia, where a young Will Smith first learned life’s toughest lessons—and its sweetest victories. On Wednesday, those same streets became a permanent tribute to the man who turned his Philly roots into global stardom. Say hello to Will Smith Way, a stretch of 59th Street right by his old stomping grounds at Overbrook High School, renamed in a heartfelt ceremony led by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and city leaders.

“Philly, I love you. I am yours. You are mine,” Smith declared, his voice thick with emotion as he stood on the newly christened street. The Oscar and Grammy winner wasn’t just there to cut a ribbon—he was there to reconnect with the city that shaped him. Gazing out at the crowd, he shared memories of his parents drilling into him the grit of hard work and the power of education. “Nobody gets an easy ride,” he said with a knowing smile. “These Philadelphia streets taught me there’s beauty in a hard day’s work.”

The ceremony wasn’t short on nostalgia. Among the familiar faces cheering him on was a former teacher who’d dubbed him “Prince Charming” back in the day. Little did she know that nickname would spark a cultural phenomenon. Pointing to Overbrook High, Smith grinned and revealed, “The name The Fresh Prince was born right there. I just tossed in ‘fresh’ because, well, hip-hop made it cool.”

For those who grew up watching him rap and wisecrack his way through The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air—where he played a Philly teen shipped off to glitzy LA—this moment felt like destiny. But Smith’s story goes way beyond TV. He’s the voice behind hits like “Summertime” and “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” snagging Grammys left and right. He’s the star of blockbusters like Bad Boys, Men in Black, and King Richard. And now, he’s got a street in Philadelphia to prove he’s never forgotten where it all began.

Oh, and there’s more: Smith’s not done making waves. This Friday, he drops Based on a True Story, his fifth studio album and his first music project in 20 years since Lost and Found. If the title’s any hint, it’s clear those West Philly lessons still echo in everything he does.

From a kid with big dreams to a legend with his name etched in the pavement, Will Smith’s journey just got a little more real. Philadelphia couldn’t be prouder.