BET NETWORKS and AEG announced panelists for the 2016 “Genius Talks” series sponsored by AT&T taking place at the BET Experience @ L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola®. Top industry icons including DJ Khaled, Snoop Dogg, Gabrielle Union, Birdman, Jermaine Dupri, Angie Martinez and more will take part in a series of thought-provoking Q&A’s and panels speaking to fans about success, the entertainment industry and building empires, introduced by television personality Janell Snowden on Saturday, June 25, 2016 and Sunday, June 26, 2016.
The first of the “Genius Talks” kicks off Saturday afternoon with DJ Khaled and his keys to genius, hosted by ESPN’s “His & Hers” host, Michael Smith. The talks continue with “Being Mary Jane” actress Gabrielle Union in conversation with writer, professor, television host, and political commentator Melissa Harris-Perry. Saturday wraps with “The Moguls.” The star-studded panel featuring industry heavy hitters and the cast of BET’s “Music Moguls,” which premieres June 28 at 9:00 PM ET, will include Snoop Dogg, Birdman, and Jermaine Dupri and will be moderated by New York Times best-selling author and multimedia personality, Angie Martinez. Sunday’s “Genius Talks” includes DeVon Franklin (Author, “The Wait” and “Produced by Faith”) in conversation with GRAMMY award-winning, game-changer, and gospel music royalty, Kirk Franklin discussing uplifting your genius.
The BET Experience “Genius Talks” series sponsored by AT&T will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, adjacent to L.A. Live, on Saturday, June 25, from 2:45 p.m. PDT – 7:00 p.m. PDT and Sunday, June 26 from 1:30 p.m. PDT – 3:00 p.m. PDT. Entry will be on a first come, first served basis.
Detailed schedule for the BET Experience “Genius Talks” series is as follows:
Saturday
4:00 p.m. PDT: DJ Khaled’s Keys to Genius – Hosted by Michael Smith
DJ, producer, and hip-hop megastar DJ Khaled found another level of success in 2015 when he became a leading social media personality and motivational thought-leader. Be there as he shares his keys to genius, personal branding and reinvention with host ESPN’s own Michael Smith (ESPN’s “His & Hers”).
5:30 p.m. PDT: State of the Union: Black Women in Hollywood – Hosted by Melissa Harris-Perry
Join Melissa Harris-Perry as she talks to “Being Mary Jane” and “Birth of a Nation” actress Gabrielle Union about the need for strong black female leads in Hollywood and the challenges women of color face in front of and behind the camera.
7:00 p.m. PDT: The Moguls – Hosted by Angie Martinez
From setting trends to making bank, these industry Moguls have built successful empires while helping to shape both the sound and culture of a generation. Don’t miss New York Times best-selling author and multimedia personality Angie Martinez, in conversation with Snoop Dogg, Birdman, and Jermaine Dupri.
Sunday
1:30 p.m. PDT: Uplifting Your Genius with Kirk Franklin – Hosted by DeVon Franklin
Join DeVon Franklin (Author, “The Wait” and “Produced by Faith”) in conversation with GRAMMY award-winning, game-changer and gospel music royalty, Kirk Franklin as they discuss how Kirk discovered his genius and draws on it in everyday life and beyond.
Also on Saturday from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Nick Cannon & the “Wild N’ Out” crew are bringing their “WILD STYLE” to BETX. In a special BETX edition of the crowd pleaser “Wild ’N Out Presents: Wildstyle Rap Battle,” five teams of two will bar up and go head to head. The cast of heavy hitters joining Nick include Chico Bean, Karlous Williams, DC Young Fly, Timothy Delaghetto, DoBoy, Charlie Clips, and Conceited. They are all primed, prepped, and ready to step into the rap battleground and wild out as only they can.
Sunday will also feature a special event with former Los Angeles Laker Metta World Peace and Olympic gold medalist and WNBA vet Chamique Holdsclaw titled, “BET News Presents: Mental Health in the Black Community.” In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, this will be an in-depth discussion centering on the issue of mental health, the stigmas and concerns of the Black community, and the pressures of modern living. The event will take place from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Also on Sunday, fans will truly be moved by the BET Experience Gospel Showcase. The BETX Main Stage event will include soul stirring performances by Tasha Cobbs, Tye Tribbett, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Tim Bowman Jr., and Ezekiel all hosted by DeVon Franklin. With GRAMMY award-winning artists, celebrities and surprise guests, this is sure to be a day of inspiration that should not be missed!
On Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, fans will be able to attend free concerts all afternoon and into the evening, with performances from heavy hitters and hot new artists including Desiigner, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, O.T. Genasis, Kevin Gates, Les Twins, Rae Sremmurd, Dreezy, Unlocking the Truth, Jay Watts, AKA and more, on the BETX Main Stage. New artists Bibi Bourelly, BJ the Chicago Kid and Ro James will be performing on the BETX Music stage sponsored by Nissan. In addition, up-and-coming artists Kodie Shane, Jacquees, Chloe x Halle, Jovanie, Detroit Che, Mindless Behavior and Candice Boyd will be taking the stage at the Coca-Cola® Music Studio.
Participants in Saturday’s hot ticket Celebrity Basketball Game Presented by Sprite® include Floyd Mayweather, Meek Mill, Snoop Dogg, Nick Cannon, Omarion, Wale, The Game, Desiigner and “Black-ish” stars Miles Brown and Marsai Martin, alongside ESPN guest announcers Jemele Hill and Michael Smith. Additional talent participating in the game include O.T. Genasis, Silento, Lecrae, Syd Tha Kyd (The Internet), Doug Christie, Guy Dupuy, Marcellus Wiley, Kenny Dobbs, Lil Durk, Rotimi, Erica Ash and Young Greatness. Tip off for the Celebrity Basketball Game presented by Sprite® takes place at 1:00 p.m. PDT and will be streamed LIVE to fans at home on www.bet.com.
As previously announced, BET Networks will make its return to Los Angeles for the 4-day music, comedy and entertainment festival, the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola®, June 23 – 26, 2016. Teaming up with AEG, one of the leading entertainment companies in the world and developer/operator of L.A. LIVE and STAPLES Center, the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® will feature some of today’s hottest artists including Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Fetty Wap, A$AP Ferg, Usher, Bryson Tiller, Katt Williams, Mike Epps, Metro Boomin, The Roots & Friends, Ty Dolla $ign, Kehlani and more. The four day event will showcase the best in music, comedy concerts, entertaining and interactive activations at the FREE fan festival, “106 & PARK” tapings, seminars and celebrity appearances.
VIP Packages for the BET Experience weekend are now on-sale. In addition to VIP amenities throughout the weekend and incredible seats for STAPLES Center shows, three levels of BETX VIP Packages offer guests the only opportunity to purchase tickets to the highly anticipated BET Awards, broadcast live from Microsoft Theater. The 1,000+ VIP Packages sold out in 2015, so guests are encouraged to purchase now before the allotment is depleted. Full package amenities and pricing for the Diamond, Platinum and Gold VIP Packages can be found by visiting BETExperience.com or by calling (877) 234-8425.
General tickets for the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® are now on sale. Single day STAPLES Center show tickets are priced as low as $49.50, while 3-day STAPLES Center concert ticket packages start at $148.50. Tickets will be available at http://www.axs.com/betexperience.
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