BETX Sets the Stage for BET Awards Weekend in Los Angeles

The biggest weekend in culture returned to Los Angeles, bringing together music, sports, entrepreneurship and entertainment for another BET Awards weekend. Before the awards show took center stage, BET Experience gave fans two days of performances, celebrity appearances, panels and interactive experiences in south Los Angeles.

Check the event recap on SHEENTV

BET fans got an early start to the weekend Thursday as the BETX Celebrity Basketball Game tipped off at USC’s Galen Center. Fans packed the arena to watch some of their favorite entertainers take the court, with actor Rome Flynn earning the MVP award. Da’Vinchi, Key Glock, Jacquees, Lucky Daye, Hunxho and streamer Zeddy Will suited up, while BunnaB, YKNiece, T.I. and other artists performed throughout the event, turning the game into a celebration of music and culture.

Photo credit: Malik Morris Perry, Kreative Kapturez

FanFest continued Friday with performances from Inayah, Miles Minnick, Belly Gang Kushington, Dess Dior, DESTIN CONRAD, Fabolous, FLO, G Herbo, Jaewon, KenTheMan, Key Glock and Zeddy Will. Resident DJ Beenblackin kept the music going between sets before Fetty Wap closed out the night. His return to BET Awards weekend was one of the day’s standout moments as fans welcomed him back by singing along to his biggest hits.

Beyond the performances, BETX highlighted entrepreneurship and business through a series of conversations and networking opportunities. The E-Suite Entrepreneurship Experience and Business Pitch Competition, presented by MC Lyte, Lynn Richardson and the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, gave aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their ideas and hear from established business leaders. The Founder’s Roundtable, presented by Walmart and hosted by MC Lyte with Gia Peppers moderating, focused on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and building generational wealth.

Photo Credit: Paras Griffin, Getty Images

Saturday’s FanFest featured performances by Papa Jay, Travis Malloy, B2K, Big Marco, Coi Leray, kwn, Larry June, Swae Lee, Trap Dickey, Yung Miami and headliner Mariah the Scientist.

Gaming also had its own space throughout the weekend. In partnership with Trap Sushi, the Gaming House gave fans the opportunity to compete in Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat tournaments, participate in a Madden 26 championship, check out an anime cosplay showcase and attend discussions exploring the growing relationship between hip-hop, anime and gaming.

CenterStage programming featured conversations with the cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas, a live edition of Jason Lee Live featuring Deon Cole, a songwriting and production discussion with The-Dream, and a live taping of the Pour Minds podcast with Drea Nicole and Lex P.

Another highlight of BETX was its marketplace, where Black-owned businesses introduced their brands to thousands of attendees. Vendors including CURVE by Sean Brown, Brandon Blackwood and MejiMeji gave festivalgoers the opportunity to discover and support Black-owned fashion and lifestyle brands throughout the weekend.

From celebrity basketball and live performances to conversations centered on business and culture, the two-day BETX experience served as the perfect lead-in to the BET Awards, capturing the energy, creativity and community that continue to make the weekend one of the biggest celebrations of Black culture.