If you’re music and/or art-obsessed and live in LA, we’re sure you’ve been keeping tabs on the upcoming BET Fan Fest. Leading up to the annual BET Awards, the festivities will bring two fun-filled days of music, art, fashion & beauty, and casting calls to the Los Angeles Convention Center starting June 20th.
To be a part of the weekend’s festivities, you can register for a BET Fan Fest wristband by downloading the BETX ’19 app or going here. The BET Fan Fest wristband will grant you blanket access to most of the events happening during the BET Experience weekend, including the House of Fashion & Beauty, the Coca-Cola Stage, and DJ Hed’s Kicksperience sponsored by Sprite, however tickets to the BETX Celebrity Basketball game will be available for purchase separately. General tickets for the larger BET Experience at L.A. LIVE are available here.
From live music to pop-up beauty shops, here’s a complete list of all of the exciting things wristband-holders can check out during the two-day extravaganza.
Set to feature some of today’s biggest emerging acts, the Coca-Cola sponsored stage at BETX 2019 features a packed two-day lineup, with live performances from hip-hop duo Earth Gang, singer-songwriter Elhae, rapper Killumantii, amongst many more. Saturday night’s performance will also include a special, surprise guest that you don’t want to miss, so stay tuned!
Get ready for two fantastic nights of fashion & beauty! Embracing an "unapologetically street" theme, this year’s House of Fashion & Beauty will be the go-to spot for cosmetics and fashion-lovers alike. Come visit HOFB for makeup samples, pop-up shops, barbershop talks, and some of the best style tips from designers (Karl Kani, Milano Di Rouge, Sprayground), artists (Dana Chanel, Doja Cat), and skincare specialists. The House will also be hosting a model search sponsored by celebrity hairstylist and recording artist Cliff Vmir, who will be picking five lucky festival-goers to walk the runway for the fashion show. You never know; this could be your big break!
In the mood to be inspired? BET has you covered. Now in its sixth year, the BET Genius Talks segment continues to be one of the most inspirational and talked-about events of the BET Fan Fest, bringing together deepest fireside chats and today’s biggest stars. Past year’s talks have touched on subjects such as the School to Prison Pipeline (Pusha T, Angela Rye), #BlackGirlMagic and self-love (Tracee Ellis Ross), and general driving tips for success (Yvonne Orji). Tune in this year to see Boomerang producer Lena Waithe, grown-ish star Yara Shahidi, and Little star Marsai Martin as they chat about their personal successes and losses alongside moderator Jemele Hill.
Are you dying to see your favorite celebrities play your favorite field day game? Well, now’s your chance! The annual BET Experience Celebrity Dodgeball Game will return on Friday, June 21, with four teams of celebrity challengers facing off in middle schoolers’ most dreaded game. Catch Haha Davis, Michael Blackson, London On Da Track, Lil Tjay, OBN Jay, Polo G, YK Osiris, along with a few surprise guests, as they go head-to-head with their weapon of choice— dodgeballs.
Calling all sneaker fans!! If you love the diversity that sneakers have to offer, then Dj Hed’s Kicksperience is the perfect event for you. The Sprite-sponsored gathering, hosted by LA’s own DJ Hed (Real 92.3), is geared towards bringing together generations of culture-defining sneakers, streetwear brands, art, and music. Fans can enjoy exclusive products from Sprayground and Puma pop-up shops, as well as designs from a sneaker-customization station run by artist Chad Cantcolor. Performers for this event include Sneakk (SOB X RBE), Rapsody, CupcakKe, Shoreline Mafia, 1TakeJay, Morgan Westbrooks, and more.
BET hasn’t forgotten about the gamers. Stop by BET’s dedicated gaming lounge from 6-8pm Saturday for the chance to compete against gaming influencers iPodKing Carter, iDropzBodies, Bunnny MightgameU, in a variety of games, from NBA2k to Fortnite. Each tournament gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes from BET that you can’t find anywhere else.
Stop by at the BET Experience Food Court for an exclusive meet-and-greet experience with The WickerTwinz, Essence and more of today’s up-and-coming Hip-Hop acts.
Catch singer-songwriter BJ The Chicago Kid performing on the Mcdonald’s-sponsored stage, along with other special guests that will be announced day-of!
The Next Big Rap Star could be you! In this exclusive competition, six finalists of the Next Rap Star online competition (or in-person audition) will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show off their rap skills to a variety of industry professionals at BETX 2019. Not only will participants have a chance to perform at next year’s BET Fan Experience 2020, but could also be the recipient of a sweet EP deal with Island Records. Prepare to Lose Yourself in the moment, and start brainstorming those lyrics!
BET is on the hunt for young new faces to put on the air. If you don’t have good-enough rap skills for the Next Rap Star competition, but know your way around a script, there’s still a place for you! Come show off your acting expertise to an esteemed panel of casting directors and BET executives, who just may select you to join the cast of a new BET movie, TV show, or commercial.
Last but not least are the BET Her Awards. Now in its second year, this empowering night honors the innovations and successes of women of color who have shown tremendous drive and spirit, and have broken barriers in the entertainment, arts, and technology industries. The Her Awards will also be spotlight two deserving nonprofits that are dedicated to uplifting and empowering women of color, in the workforce and beyond.
If seeing your favorite celebrities throw balls at each other wasn’t enough, here’s your chance to watch them shoot hoops as well. On Saturday night, four star-studded teams will melee on the court for various charity donations (and of course, bragging rights), at the three-on-three Celebrity Basketball Tournament. As this event is paid and for charity, you’ll have to download the BETX ’19 App to purchase tickets separately.