BET Experience , also known as BETX , is an annual event organized by Black Entertainment Television (BET) that combines live music, entertainment, and cultural events. Held in Los Angeles , California , the BET Experience is designed to celebrate African American culture , music, and entertainment . The multi-day event typically occurs around the same time as the BET Awards .
22-635: The BET Experience was first launched in 2013 as a prelude to the BET Awards , which have been a prominent annual event since 2001. The idea behind the BET Experience was to extend the celebration of Black culture beyond a single awards show and create an engaging festival-like atmosphere for fans and artists alike. The inaugural event was a three-day festival held at the L.A. Live complex in downtown Los Angeles , featuring performances, fan interactions, and brand activations. The BET Experience offers
44-477: A G-Unit Award expressly for 50 Cent given to him by fashion designer Marc Ecko . In 2008, he completed a residency project titled "FreeStyle Archityper" at Brighton University in England , where he created an indoor sculpture installation using a process devoid of models and drawings. The on-site exhibition included other works in both metal print and large-scale sculpture. The Freestyle Archityper installation
66-565: A global audience to participate in the celebration. The 2024 edition , presented by Walmart , was held in June 26–29. It includes a late-night comedy series featuring comedians like Chris Spencer , Michael Blackson , and Tiffany Haddish , as well as performances from major artists such as Cardi B and Davido . The festival also incorporates sports events like the celebrity basketball game, highlighting athletes and entertainers. BET Awards The BET Awards are an American award show that
88-399: A leading digital distribution firm that works on many other televised award ceremonies, including those of BET's sister networks under parent company Paramount Global . The top nominees are determined in each category, and the winners are selected via the academy members' voting process. The BET Lifetime Achievement , Humanitarian and Ultimate Icon Award recipients, along with
110-752: A wide range of events and activities, catering to diverse interests and age groups. Some of the notable features of the BET Experience include: The BET Experience is primarily held at the L.A. Live entertainment complex in Los Angeles, which includes venues like the Staples Center (now known as the Crypto.com Arena ), the Microsoft Theater , and the Los Angeles Convention Center . These venues provide ample space for
132-465: Is a New York-based artist born in 1965 in Spanish Harlem , New York City . He was best known as the subway graffiti writer Mare 139, and has since adapted the graffiti lettering styles to metal sculpture in the fine art context, and is recognized as a media artist for his creation of graffiti-art-related websites. As a member of the golden age of subway graffiti (1975–1985), he painted under
154-724: Is a list of multiple nominated performers, athletes & actors with 5 or more career nominations. Beyoncé is currently the most nominated performer with 81 nominations, solo and with Destiny's Child . 81 nominations 59 nominations 51 nominations 37 nominations 35 nominations 33 nominations 31 nominations 23 nominations 21 nominations 19 nominations 18 nominations 17 nominations 16 nominations 15 nominations 14 nominations 13 nominations 12 nominations 11 nominations 10 nominations 9 nominations 8 nominations 7 nominations 6 nominations 5 nominations Mare139 Carlos Rodriguez , better known as Mare139 ,
176-902: Is a member of the Cornell Hip Hop Collection Advisory Board. Rodriquez also lectures and writes about the evolution and history of urban art in New York City , where he lives. Aside from his fine arts accomplishments, he earned the prestigious 2006 Webby Award for his launch of the Hip Hop documentary Style Wars website. Style Wars has also garnered the COMMARTS/Communication Arts Award, Horizon Interactive Award, as well as SXSW/South by Southwest Interactive for its uniques design, narrative and interactivity. In 2006 and 2007, Rodriguez worked with actor Robert De Niro on
198-498: Is paid tribute to by current popular singers who perform the honoree's most recognized songs. The honoree will usually perform themselves after being paid tribute. In 2002, at the second annual BET Awards, the category for the BET Award Humanitarian Award was created. The Humanitarian Award is given to a celebrity philanthropist who donates their time and money to a charitable cause. In 2015 and 2018, at
220-885: The Kodak Theatre in Hollywood hosted the awards. From 2006 to 2012, the ceremonies were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles . The ceremony was moved to the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live in 2013. [REDACTED] The nomination process is handled by a voting academy made up of about 500 people from the music industry, involving the media, and bloggers. BET sends out ballots electronically and voters nominate deserving works and artists in all categories who they think should be nominated. Nominations and voting ballots are collated by Yangaroo, Inc. ,
242-536: The award for the annual BET Awards show, which is given to entertainers, athletes and actors. Recipients include Denzel Washington , Halle Berry , Jay-Z , Snoop Dogg , Beyoncé , Kobe Bryant , Usher , Serena Williams and many more. Other award projects included the 2005 and 2007 Red Bull Beat Battle Award and more recently the SPY Award for the 30th Anniversary of the Rock Steady Crew as well as
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#1732798657551264-595: The biggest names in the music industry, including Beyoncé , Kendrick Lamar , Snoop Dogg , Mary J. Blige , and Chris Brown . The lineup often features a mix of genres, from hip-hop and R&B to gospel and soul, ensuring a diverse range of performances that appeal to a wide audience. In addition to the music, the BET Experience has been known for its exclusive parties and events, including red carpet events , celebrity basketball games, and exclusive pre-awards dinners. These gatherings provide fans with unique opportunities to interact with their favorite artists and enjoy
286-531: The diverse activities and events of the BET Experience, including concerts, panels, and fan festivals. The BET Experience has become a significant cultural event, celebrating the contributions of Black artists and creators in the entertainment industry. It serves as a platform for new talent while honoring the achievements of established performers. The event not only draws fans from around the United States but also attracts international attendees, reflecting
308-417: The excitement surrounding the BET Awards . In 2020 , due to the global COVID-19 pandemic , the BET Experience was canceled as a physical event for the first time since its inception. Instead, BET pivoted to a virtual experience, offering online content and performances to keep fans engaged while maintaining safety measures. This shift to digital formats showcased the adaptability of the event and allowed for
330-501: The fifteenth and eighteenth annual BET Awards, the category of the Ultimate Icon Award was created. It is given to a veteran artist whose career is deemed iconic by fans and critics alike for their notable contributions in the music, dance and music video fields. Below are the current rankings for the most wins and most nominated artist (male & female): Most wins (as of 2024) Most nominations (as of 2017) This
352-445: The global reach of BET and the cultural impact of African American music and entertainment. The event has also been instrumental in providing a space for conversations about social issues, with many panels and discussions addressing topics such as racial equality, empowerment, and the role of media in shaping public perceptions. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Over the years, the BET Experience has hosted performances from some of
374-420: The moniker "Mare" which was short for "Nightmare". He wrote alongside many of the style masters of his generation among them Kel First, Dondi White , Crash, Kase2, Noc167 and others. This tutelage along with his interest in modernizing the art form lead his interests to contemporary art as a vehicle to re-interpret the concepts and aesthetic of style writing. As a sculptor, Carlos Mare139 Rodriguez's breakthrough
396-406: The nominees for other categories are announced in a press conference. At the awards ceremony a mini-documentary is shown covering the honorees' life. The awards are given out separately. The Ultimate Icon Award was created in 2015 and presented in the ceremony. The BET Lifetime Achievement Award is given a veteran artist or group who has made notable contributions to the music industry. The honoree
418-622: Was a breakthrough work in which his interest in re-skinning architecture continued to take form. In 2009, Rodriguez will re-skin his first building using his unique sculptural talents. Works of Rodriguez (as "Mare 139") were included in the 2010 "Art in the Streets" exhibition of graffiti and street art at MOCA in Los Angeles. In 2017 he held the solo Breaking Abstractions exhibit at the Artgang Gallery in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He
440-590: Was designed by artist/sculptor Carlos "Mare139" Rodriguez . Outkast won the first award trophy during the first ceremony in 2001. In 2007, Society Awards , the New York firm who manufactures the award, enhanced the quality of the trophy design using plated steel and black crystal. The inaugural ceremony in 2001 was held at the Paris Las Vegas resort on the Las Vegas Strip . From 2002 to 2005,
462-541: Was established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate Black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports and philanthropy. The awards, which are presented annually, are broadcast live on BET. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by artists; some of the awards of more popular interest are presented in a televised ceremony. The Award Trophy, inspired by three words - aspire, ascend, achieve,
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#1732798657551484-464: Was with the metal "K" sculpture in 1985. This led to a series of large-scale sculptures that were true to graffiti lettering format, but peeled and folded into space. By 1986, the sculptures departed from the common vernacular of writing to the more complex study Constructivist , Cubist and Futurist ideas, but yet retained its initial feel of graffiti-style writing. His sculptures have been exhibited internationally. Rodriguez also designed and created
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