When BET Experience at L.A. Live returns next month (June 21-24), so will its free BET Fan Fest. The roster of special guests includes T.I., Nick Cannon, Jussie Smollett and Yara Shahidi (grown-ish).
Bringing back popular events such as Genius Talks, Acoustically Speaking, BETX Celebrity Basketball, BETX Main Stage and the Coca-Cola Music Studio, the Fan Fest also boasts a new attraction this year: Celebrity Dodgeball. All events will be staged at the Los Angeles Convention Center between June 22-23.
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Music provides the through line on both days. Focusing on rising talent, the BETX Main Stage will spotlight Leikeli47, Tee Grizzley, Jessie Reyez and Derez Deshon, among others. Meanwhile, the Coca-Cola Music Studio will present a slate of newly discovered R&B/hip-hop acts that includes DaniLeigh, DJ Mal-Ski and Domani Harris.
Host Big Tigger will talk candidly with Jussie Smollett, Lecrae and Gallant about the music industry after which each artist will perform during the M&M-sponsored Acoustically Speaking session on June 22. That evening, four teams of celebrity challengers will face off for the inaugural Celebrity Dodgeball game. Demonstrating their prowess will be Love & Hip Hop cast members — Ray J, Safaree, Stevie J. and K. Michelle plus others — as well as Nick Cannon and surprise guests from Wild N Out.
Two mainstay events round out the Fan Fest schedule on June 23, Genius Talks and BETX Celebrity Basketball. The former, sponsored by AT&T, finds Tip “T.I.” Harris, Yara Shahidi and Yvonne Orji (Insecure) sitting down to chat with moderator Jemele Hill. Going toe-to-toe on the Sprite-sponsored basketball court will be two teams comprised of music stars such as Nipsey Hussle, Tank, Rapsody, Rich Homie Quan, Lil Dicky and Travis Greene. Coaching from the sidelines will be Fat Joe and nationally syndicated radio personality Big Boy.
Beginning today (May 1), BET Fan Fest attendees can register for the required wristbands by downloading the BETX ’18 app or visiting www.betexperience.com. Celebrity Basketball tickets are also available for purchase now at http://www.axs.com/betexperience.
Last week, BET Networks and AEG announced that Nas had joined the all-star lineup of concert performers at the Staples Center for the sixth annual BET Experience at L.A. Live presented by Coca-Cola. In addition to Nas, the Staples Center concerts (June 21-23) will feature Chris Brown, SZA, Rae Sremmurd, LL Cool J, Ne-Yo and Ella Mai, among others. The BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater will cap the weekend on June 24.
