Every Song & When They Play

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Bel-Air season 3.

The reimagined version of the 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air, has a notable, diverse soundtrack that adds to the story, characters, and atmosphere. Bel-Air takes the characters viewers know and love from the Will Smith original series and gives them a twist in a darker, grittier, more dramatic version of Fresh Prince. Both shows have the same basic premise, but Bel-Air made multiple changes to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Bel-Air season 3 follows Will, Carlton, the rest of the Banks family, and their friends as they go on their first summer vacation since Will moved to Bel Air. This provides new energy, as the characters have a fun summer away from school, but that doesn’t mean Bel-Air season 3 is without drama. Bel-Air season 2 ended with the DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith song, “Summertime,” setting the stage for a strong soundtrack that captures the vibes of California summer.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 1 Songs

“Baby, I’m Back”

“Sunshine (The Light)” by Amorphous, DJ Khaled, and Fat Joe: Bel Air season 3, episode 1 opens with Will and Lisa, who finally got back together in the season 2 finale, at the Beverly Hills Country Club. Lisa is lifeguarding at the club, and Will’s been spending a lot of time there playing pickleball and visiting Lisa, as evidenced by him knowing all the guests and employees he’s come across.

“Brown Skin” by India.Arie: With Uncle Phil’s new law firm doing well and Aunt Viv taking over as the executive director of the Neeman Fellowship, they find themselves on the cover of Essence Making. They pose as “Brown Skin” by India.Arie plays. Ashley’s new friend Olivia is in awe of her parents, but Ashley warns her that the Banks family isn’t perfect, and sometimes looking the part is more important than actually playing it.

“Flex” by Darz ft. Show Banga: Carlton and Will have come a long way in their relationship in Bel-Air, with Will becoming Carlton’s biggest supporter. Carlton is released from rehab in Bel-Air season 3, episode 1, and the Darz song plays when he and Will go out to get food.

“Holding Back Tears” by Stik Figa ft. Apollo Brown: Carlton revealing his drug addiction to the school and his family in the Bel-Air season 2 finale was not without consequences. Carlton had someone endorsing him at Princeton, but they pulled out, seemingly ending his dream of attending the Ivy League school. A montage of Carlton walking around the house and seeing all the changes his family made to try and keep him sober is set to “Holding Back Tears” by Stik Figa and Apollo Brown.

“All Eyes Right Here” by Shane Eli: The Banks family hosts a legendary annual Juneteenth party, and this year was no exception. At the party, Carlton apologizes to Ashley, who is still struggling to accept that he’s truly changing. He also thanks him for helping him come clean, and though she still feels betrayed by the secrets the family kept from her, she hugs him.

“If You Don’t Want My Love” by Jalen Ngonda: As the Banks family Juneteenth party continues, “If You Don’t Want My Love” by Jalen Ngonda plays softly in the background. It’s a light, groovy song that fits the scene’s energy perfectly.

“Shame” by Dahi & Emiene: Bel-Air season 3, episode 1 ends with a montage of the characters, with Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil in bed and Carlton alone in his room. In a shocking move, Will tells Doc he’s taking the summer off from basketball, taking a step away from Zenith Hype to focus on entrepreneurship.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 2 Songs

“Pivot”

“GET SOME MONEY” by Killer Mike: Carlton joins Will on his journey to becoming an entrepreneur, which involves working with Quentin, whom they met at the country club. As “GET SOME MONEY” by Killer Mike plays in Bel Air season 3, episode 2, they pitch different business ideas to the family. Unfortunately, none of them seem to work. To get some inspiration, they talk to successful businesspeople at Uncle Phil’s party, and the song plays again.

“Soul Score” by Fly X Night: While Carlton and Will try and find a business idea, Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv decide they need jobs. The boys get hired as “pit pigs” at the Beverly Hills Country Club and run into Connor and his stepdad on their first day.

“MESSY” by Tommy Richman: Ashley and Hilary have a “sister day” in Bel-Air season 3, episode 2, where Ashley gets to pick whatever she wants them to do. This includes visiting Jazz’s record shop, which Hilary is reluctant to do. While there, Ashley finds Jazz’s notice of delinquency, which he tries to play off as unimportant.

“Bad Situation” by Dear Anaïs: Things are still awkward between Jazz and Hilary in Bel-Air, especially because Hilary got engaged to Lamarcus at the end of the season 3 premiere. There’s a lot unresolved between them, as evidenced by a heated argument that ends in a kiss to “Bad Situation,” though Hilary walks away quickly.

“Trigger Warning” by Shawn Wasabi, Wolftyla & MIYACHI: “Trigger Warning” plays at the end of Bel-Air season 3, episode 2. Carlton and Akira kiss, and he and Will work at the country club. They’re introduced to their newest coworker, Jackie, who was hired as a yoga instructor after Aunt Viv put in a good word for her, unaware of her past with Will.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 3 Songs

“True Colors”

“WOW” by Kid Cudi & A$AP Rocky: After some trial and error, Will and Carlton build their new business, Blackccess, a lifestyle and merch brand made to tell their stories and help Black businesses. The first business they sponsor is Jazz’s record store, and they use a car show to promote themselves with help from Lisa and Jackie.

“SAY MY GRACE” by Offset ft. Travis Scott: To try and make some more money, Jazz agrees to sell his car, but Will comes up with a way to save it. He challenges the buyer to a street race, and if he wins, Jazz gets to keep the car and an extra $35,000. The thrilling scene in Bel Air season 3, episode 3 is set to “SAY MY GRACE” by Offset and Travis Scott.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 4 Songs

“Out All Night”

“Too Much” by Sampha: At the end of Bel-Air season 3, episode 3, Hilary’s fiancé Lamarcus passed out during a football scrimmage. Bel-Air season 3, episode 4 picks up where the previous episode ends, with Hilary and the Banks family at the hospital. “Too Much” by Sampha plays as they wait for news on his condition, with the doctors’ and background characters’ movements sped up while the main characters appear in real-time.

“Get It” by Big Boss Vette: Carlton and Will have been stressed by the pressure to make Blackccess a success. This has caused them to take their frustrations out on each other, so their respective girlfriends took them to the beach for a double date. “Get It” by Big Boss Vette is the soundtrack to their girls vs. boys volleyball game.

“Hold on Me” by Elijah Fox ft. Linda Diaz & Gabe Monro: Between learning about Erica and Phil’s kiss and the added responsibilities of being the Neeman Fellowship executive director, Aunt Viv needs the night on. Before she leaves for girls’ night, she and Phil have a brief talk about the kiss to “Hold On Me” by Elijah Fox.

“Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige: Aunt Viv’s girls’ night is a success, with her and her friends letting loose at the club. She dances with them and random men to the Mary J. Blige hit “Family Affair,” singing along and looking free in a rare moment away from Banks family drama.

“Slowly” by ODIE: The stress of running a business has Carlton wanting to relapse, and he asks Amira to join him at an NA meeting. Instead, she tells him they can chase a different kind of high, and she pressures him to speed on an empty road as “Slowly” by ODIE plays, suggesting the start of another bad habit for Carlton.

“High Life” by Nebuluv & Justin Starling: Lamarcus’ dad, a former professional football player, is pushing his son to make a comeback before he’s physically ready. Hilary assures him that he’ll still be great even if he takes his time, but she knows how important appearances are. They take a selfie in Bel-Air season 3, episode 4 in his hospital bed with “High Life” playing in the background.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 5 songs

“Getting Personal”

“Gorilla” by Little Simz: Bel-Air season 3, episode 5 takes place on Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv’s anniversary. At the beginning of the episode, “Gorilla” by Little Simz plays during a montage of Ashley, Carlton, and Will making breakfast together to bring the couple breakfast in bed.

“Say It I Love You” by Gazelle Hunter, Skye Emanuel, Drew Dvorsky, Jimmy Howland & Linasko Licks: Ashley has found a new passion for music in Bel-Air season 3, which inspired her to start her own band. Ashley blasts “Say It I Love You” while preparing for band auditions. This helps solve a Bel-Air problem with Ashley and her storylines.

“Slow and Steady” by Ru AREYOU: The Beverly Hills Country Club is hosting a celebrity pickleball match featuring artist Pony Rich. Carlton and Will want to meet him and try to get him to sponsor Blackccess, but they first have to impress one of the bosses, Ms. Tina. “Slow and Steady” plays during their first meeting.

“GO!” by Kidd Rifft ft. Illa Noize & PUSH.audio: Will plays against Ms. Tina in a pickleball match set to the song “Go!” by Kidd Rifft to try and impress her. Will wins the game, and she agrees to let Will and Carlton work the event, getting them one step closer to Pony Rich.

“Today” by Keely & PeterFeelGood: Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv’s anniversary hasn’t gone smoothly in Bel-Air season 3, episode 5. Uncle Phil tries to make things right before their anniversary dinner, with “Today” by Keely and PeterFeelGood setting a romantic mood, although Aunt Viv isn’t feeling it.

“Anniversary” by Tony! Toni! Toné!:Bel-Air season 3, episode 5 has a happy ending, with Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil finally talking and making up after a rocky start to the season. Carlton and Ashley surprise their parents with a projector slideshow of pictures featuring the couple. They put on “Anniversary” by Tony! Toni! Toné! for them to dance to.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 6 Songs

“Baggage”

“Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe: Bel-Air season 3, episode 6 starts with Will and Vy driving to the Banks mansion after he picks her up from the airport. Will hasn’t spent a summer without his mom and invites her for another visit to California. They sing and dance during the car ride to “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe.

“ETA” by SHERIE: “ETA” by SHERIE is used as a transition song in the episode. It starts playing after Aunt Viv struggles to figure out how to handle Ashley’s new nonbinary friend Eli, who uses he/they pronouns, being in her room. The scene then cuts to Will suggesting to his mom that they meet up with Lou to talk things out.

“Reverse It All” by Amaru Son: Uncle Phil’s newest client, Omar Campbell, is bringing him a lot of money but a lot of controversy as well. Omar wants to buy Jazz’s record shop, Charlie’s Vinyl, and Uncle Phil stops by to deliver the proposal to Jazz as “Reverse It All” by Amaru Son plays.

“Sleepless Nights” by Dinner Party, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder & Kamasi Washington ft. Phoelix: “Sleepless Nights” plays while Jazz and his friend Yolanda are at Charlie’s Vinyl “pouring one out” for the store. Jazz is seriously considering Omar’s offer, but Yolanda tells him he has to fight to keep the store, reminding him of its history and his uncle Charlie’s legacy.

“Do Better” by Ab-Soul & Zacari: At the end of Bel-Air season 3, episode 5, Geoffrey makes a deal with Roman, paying him off. This keeps Frederick safe from his dangerous past and keeps Geoffrey from having to return to London. “Do Better” plays over the episode’s final scenes, including Will and Lou finally bonding in Bel-Air by playing basketball together.

Season 3 Episode 7 Songs

“Black Lotus”

“Pray” by Dhaniel Kruz:Bel-Air season 3, episode 7 opens with Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil preparing for a trip to Punta Mita. After some relationship struggles, they appear to regain their romantic spark. Uncle Phil compliments Aunt Viv as “Pray” plays, making her feel special, something she had said he hadn’t done in a while.

“Change” by JAG: The JAG song plays when Will goes to see Jazz and Charlie’s Vinyl, only to find that he and Yolanda are using it to organize against Uncle Phil’s client, Omar. Jazz has turned down Omar’s offer to buy Charlie’s and protests what he’s doing with Black businesses in South Los Angeles, leaving Will torn between what he believes in and what Uncle Phil supports.

“Bounce and Galang” by Ras Fraser Jr.: While Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv are away, Geoffrey is in charge. Carlton convinces him to take Penelope to a Jamaican restaurant/bar so he and Will can have a hangout at the house. While “Bounce and Galang” plays, Geoffrey and Penelope start rekindling their old romance.

“Daily” by Jack Hudson, Deja-Vu, Taylor & Eric Martin: Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil took the trip with Lamarcus’ parents, Annie and Lamont, to spend time with their soon-to-be in-laws. They are unexpectedly joined by their friends Tiana and Caleb. “Daily” serves as a background song as the couples talk about Tiana and Caleb’s open relationship.

“Down 4 My N’s” by Snoop Dogg ft. C-Murder & Magic: Uncle Phil, Caleb, and Lamont are all Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members. Caleb requests the DJ play “Down 4 My N’s” for them to stroll to. Other fraternity brothers join them in the poolside stroll.

“Guayeteo Sobeteo” by Miles Lianson & Javier Fernando: Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil try to spice up their sex life. The Bel-Air episode hints at them experimenting with Tiana and Caleb, who expressed interest in them. Instead, they end the night alone, with a love scene set to “Guayeteo Sobetoe” by Miles Lianson and Javier Fernando.

“Blessing” by Ronehi & Tim Lyre: Geoffrey gets into an altercation in the bathroom with another man at the bar who tried to start a fight with him and Penelope. “Blessing” plays when he returns to Penelope, who tells him she might stay in California a bit longer, which Geoffrey had hoped for.

“Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy: The classic reggae anthem “Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy is the perfect song for Penelope and Geoffrey to dance to at the bar. The scene highlights the sexual tension between them and what’s to come.

“Better Together” by MALIA: Amira is lying to Carlton and keeping secrets behind his back, including the fact that she might not be sober. They have a love scene with “Better Together” by MALIA playing in the background, though viewers certainly want it to be their last.

“GROW – A COLORS ENCORE” by FACESOUL: At the end of Bel-Air season 3, episode 7, Will looks through the box Lou gave him. He sees the picture of Martin Luther King Jr., representing Will’s struggles with wanting to be an activist and his privileged life in Bel-Air. He looks the mask Lou probably used in the robbery that landed him in jail, which he then used during the vandalism of Omar’s construction site.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 8 Songs

“Gimme a Break”

“Shell” by Bando.: In a meeting with Uncle Phil, District Attorney Wilkes, and Omar, Will learns there is footage of the vandalization of Omar’s construction site. As “Shell” by Bando. Plays, Will calls Jazz to warn him, worrying about what will happen to his friend.

“Gotta Wake Up” by Malcolm Early: Carlton catches Will making the phone call to Jazz and tells Will if he doesn’t tell Uncle Phil about the vandalism, he will. “Gotta Wake Up” is a fitting song for the moment, as Bel-Air season 3, episode 8 transitions to Lisa texting Amira asking if they can talk.

“Let’s Get Married” by Jagged Edge ft. Rev Run: Lamarcus surprises Hilary in Bel-Air season 3, episode 8, singing “Let’s Get Married” by Jagged Edge to her. He asks her to marry him in a week in Martha’s Vineyard in a smaller ceremony, and Hilary says yes.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 9 Songs

“Family Matters”

“LOST IT ALL” by Mozzy ft. Fridayy:Bel-Air season 3, episode 9 opened with “LOST IT ALL” and Will and Carlton silently reflecting on what happened with Amira at the end of the previous episode. The signs of the aftermath were shown at the Beverly Hills Country Club, as Lisa stood by the pool that was closed for maintenance after Amira’s overdose and attempted drowning.

“Obvious” by The Royal Chief: Throughout the episode, Carlton is checked out as he tries to grapple with Amira’s overdose, and the fact that he never saw her relapse coming. This leaves Will to make decisions about Blackccess alone. When Quentin asks Will if he’s in or out while “Obvious” plays, Will says he’s in.

“Losses” by HARV & KYLE: Amira’s overdose threatens Carlton’s sobriety, with him going as far as getting drugs. Carlton sits in the car with his newly obtained drugs, contemplating taking them, as “Losses” by HARV & KYLE plays. A voicemail from his mom and a vision of Will help ground him.

“Solid Ground” by Michael Kiwanuka: An NA meeting is organized with friends and family of Amira’s invited to help pay tribute to and show their support for her in these difficult times. The scene is set to “Solid Ground” by Michael Kiwanuka, who sang the Big Little Lies theme song. It’s also revealed that Carlton didn’t relapse and got rid of the drugs instead.

Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 10 Songs

“Save the Best for Last”

“Rise N Shine” by Leela James: The Bel-Air season 3 finale centers around Lamarcus and Hilary’s wedding. The first song of the episode is “Rise N Shine,” which plays as the family takes pictures before the wedding. It’s a happy song for what should be a happy occasion.

“Love You Better” by Monophonics & Kelly Finnigan: Before her wedding, Hilary hangs out with her family and bridal party, which consists of her mom, Vy, Ashley, Lisa, and Ivy. They give her “something blue, something borrowed, something new” while “Love You Better” plays.

“Can I Call You Rose?” by Thee Sacred Souls: Hilary and Jazz never seem quite over in Bel-Air. He shows up at Martha’s Vineyard, where the wedding is being held, to bring her engagement ring, which she forgot at his apartment. “Can I Call You Rose?” makes the moment Jazz puts the ring on her finger even more romantic.

“Chasing” by Andra Day: Artist Andra Day guest-stars in the Bel-Air season 3 finale to sing her love song “Chasing.” It’s the song everyone walks down the aisle to at Lamarcus and Hilary’s wedding, even though Lamarcus hadn’t shown up yet after finding out about Jazz and Hilary’s kiss.

“Could This Be Love” by The Suffers: The wedding goes off without a hitch, and everyone has a good time dancing at Hilary’s wedding reception to “Could This Be Love” by The Suffers. Eli sneaks champagne for them and Ashley. She tells them she’s going to tell her parents about their relationship, as they recently confessed their feelings for each other.

“Can I Have This Groove” by Kenyon Dixon: The dancing continues at Lamarcus and Hilary’s wedding reception to “Can I Have This Groove” by Kenyon Dixon. Geoffrey watches everyone from a distance, knowing it could be sadly his last time with the Banks family.

“Fate Don’t Know You” by Desi Valentine: The final song in Bel-Air season 3 is “Fate Don’t Know You” by Desi Valentine. It plays over the final scenes of Aunt Viv finding out she’s pregnant, Uncle Phil reading Geoffrey’s letter, Lamarcus passing out, and Will being kidnapped.