Tag Archives: BET

Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle And Wale Among Performers For Soul Train Awards 2013

sta_voting_header_generic1Jennifer Hudson , Tamar Braxton , Smokey Robinson , K. Michelle, Ron Isley , Wale, Eric Benet , Candice Glover , Kem, Chrisette Michele, Bobby Caldwell and Joss Stone will be hitting the stage as performers for SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2013. This year’s show pays homage to the soul soundtrack of the 90’s, allowing fans to reminisce on a decade of influential black cinema and music. Charged with keeping the party going throughout the night are Grammy Award winning producers 1500 or Nothin’ and legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes who have both been tapped as music directors for the show. As previously announced, comedian and actor Anthony Anderson will host the event in Las Vegas on November 8th, which will air on CENTRIC and BET, December 1, 2013 at 8PM ET/PT.

“We are gearing up for a big show this year, and the performers set to take the stage are just the beginning of what’s to come. I hope everyone is ready because Centric is bringing the party to Las Vegascome November 8th,” said Paxton Baker, General Manager and Executive Vice President, CENTRIC. “We are forever grateful for the involvement of so many amazing performers and their loyalty to the Soul Train and Centric brands. Music is the core of Centric’s DNA and our diverse roster of new talent and legendary artists display our continued commitment to providing quality programming for soul music lovers.”

For the first time, SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2013 will be held at the Orleans Arena, one of the nation’s leading mid-size arenas. Also marking a first for the award show is the addition of a second stage, which will feature a rotating mix of celebrity DJs. Hip-hop sensation Kendrick Lamar leads this year’s nominations with six nominations across multiple categories, including: Best New Artist, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Tied with five nominations each are Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke,Chris Brown, Tamar Braxton and Janelle Monae.

 

BET Networks Celebrates The 25th Anniversary Of Michael Jackson’s “BAD”

On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. ET*, BET Networks will premiere BET Presents: BAD25 – The Short Films of  Michael Jackson,  a two-hour tribute to the industry-redefining short films emanating from the landmark Michael Jackson album, BAD, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.  The TV special airs the same day as the release of BAD25, available in multiple formats, which will include CDs of the original album plus rare and previously unreleased audio as well as the first ever authorized DVD and CD release of a concert from the record breaking BAD World Tour.  

Partnering with Sony Music and The Estate of Michael Jackson, BET has created a unique and spectacular televised tribute to the short films from Michael Jackson’s BAD.  Through photos, visuals and interviews with celebrity fans, cultural critics and contemporary artists who have been influenced by Michael, the special will take viewers on a fascinating journey celebrating the everlasting influence on the music video artform by one of the most historically significant works of modern music, BAD.  The special will include interviews with Ne-Yo, Ashanti, Michael Eric Dyson, A$AP Rocky, Beverly Johnson, Affion Crockett, Al Sharpton, MC Lyte and others. 

BAD is not only a multi-platinum album; it is a cultural phenomenon.  The album was #1 around the world, made history with five consecutive #1 singles on the Billboard chart, and produced nine chart-topping singles, and nine groundbreaking and iconic short films, including Smooth Criminal, The Way You Make Me Feel and Bad.  To date, the BAD album has generated over 45 million units in sales.  The BAD World Tour was Michael’s first concert tour as a solo artist, and his only North American tour, and included 123 concerts attended by more than 4.4 million fans over sixteen months. When it concluded, the tour had shattered all previous touring records for attendance and total gross revenue.

BET To Launch The BET Experience at L.A. Live in June 2013

BET Networks has teamed up with AEG and L.A. Live to create and produce the first-ever  BET Experience at L.A. Live and L.A. Live to create and produce the first-ever BET Experience at L.A. Live, taking place June 28, 29 and 30, 2013 as part of the BET Awards weekend activities. The 2013 BET Awards will be held on June 30 at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live at the center of the downtown Los Angeles sports and entertainment district for the first time.

The BET Experience at L.A. Live is a three day celebration of music, entertainment, and Black culture and will be the largest consumer event in BET Networks’ history.  Each day, attendees at the BET Experience at L.A. Live will enjoy great performances, participate in TV show tapings, attend thought provoking seminars, interact with sponsor exhibits and connect with their favorite BET programs.  Each night, attendees will have the opportunity to attend concerts in the world famous Staples Center featuring superstar iconic artists and party the night away in a variety of clubs and afterparties at L.A. LIVE. 

Also for the first time, a limited number of exclusive early bird ticket packages for the three night Staples Center concert series will be available beginning Sunday, July 1st at 8:00 pm EDT / 5:00 pm PDT at www.betexperience.com. Packages start at $199, and are also offered at $299 and $399, each including 3-night passes to the concert series.

“We are thrilled to bring BET to life in such an exciting way for our audience.  BET Networks is known for creating memorable stage moments and our partnership with AEG will allow us to create many once-in-a-lifetime moments at the BET Experience at L.A. Live for years to come,” said Debra Lee, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks.

The Experience will feature:

  • Staples Center concert series: Three nights of megastar concerts will be hosted at Los Angeles’ most popular and award winning concert venue.
  • 106 & Park Stage: 106 & Park, the number one music countdown show, brings the livest audience to Nokia Plaza L.A. Live for the weekend with free musical performances, new talent showcases and celebrity sightings.
  • Club Nokia concert series: The intimate concert venue will house the best in soul music and comedy for two nights.
  • Music Matters Stage: This free-to-the-public stage will showcase up-and-coming artists associated with the BET Music Matters which has introduced BET Awards show-stopping, Grammy® winning, chart-topping new talent to the world including Melanie Fiona, Marsha Ambrosius, J. Cole, and Luke James.
  • Sponsor Expo and Fan Fest: A free, open-to-the-public festival, street fair and block party that invites guests to engage with their favorite BET shows and talent and their favorite brands through interactive exhibits, demonstrations and giveaways.
  • Personal Growth Sessions: BET Experience attendees can participate in uplifting and empowering seminars, panels, and workshops led by some of the most important and influential voices in the community. These sessions are free-with-registration.
  • Official BET Experience Afterparties:  The hottest late-night parties featuring great DJ’s, celebrity appearances and much more!

 More BET Experience attractions will be added and announcements coming throughout the next year.  Consumers are encouraged to visit the website, www.betexperience.com  to purchase tickets and get updates on talent, programming initiatives, contests, giveaways and more.

D’Angelo Makes His Comeback At The BET Awards

The BET Awards performance line-up is getting hotter. Added to the roster is platinum musician D’Angelo, who will make his long-awaited return to the television stage after twelve years.  His highly anticipated performance can be seen at the BET AWARDS 12, only on BET Networks, July 1, 2012 at 8 p.m.*

“Usually, we love to keep surprises…but this year we want EVERYONE watching when D’Angelo takes the stage at the BET Awards!,” stated Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials.  “His talents have been away from us for far too long and we’re excited and honored that he’s decided to make his American re-entry at this year’s BET Awards.”

BET AWARDS 12 will be hosted by box office superstar Samuel L. Jackson, and will include exciting performances by Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha T, Big Sean, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale and 2 Chainz.  This year’s Humanitarian Award, presented by State Farm, will go to Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will receive the coveted Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award.  Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good, Kevin Hart and Cedric the Entertainer will grace the Shrine Auditorium stage, as presenters, on Sunday, July 1st at 8:00 p.m. on BET Networks.

R&B Star Keyshia Cole Returns To BET In Docu-drama

BETNetworks announced production of its new original docu-drama: Keyshia Cole: Family First (W.T.*)  Keyshia Cole’s evolution from a promising R&B star to a multi-platinum selling artist was captured for three seasons by BET on her top-rated reality series, “The Way It Is.”

Viewers will once again join her on an emotional journey as she steps into a new chapter of her life.  The new series gives a candid look at the R&B songstress at her most vulnerable, as a wife to NBA star Daniel Gibson, mother to her 2 year old son D.J., daughter, sister, musician and businesswoman.

We’ve witnessed so many incredible and compelling moments in Keyshia’s life, especially her tumultuous relationship with her mom and sister, Frankie and Neffe. Now Keyshia has found herself on the path to becoming the woman she was destined to be, but will her new life lead her down the road to success  or will demons from her past continue to haunt her?

For more information log onto http://www.bet.com/newshows. Join the conversation on social media by following us on twitter @BETKeyshiaCole and on Google plus at bet.us/gplusBET.

*Working Title

BET Brings ‘THE GAME’ Back to the Field!‏

Following BET Networks’ successful syndicate acquisition in February 2009 and hearing the tremendous response from fans, the “San Diego Sabers” and their significant others will make a return to television on BET on Tuesday, January 11 at 10:00 p.m. eastern time (9:00 p.m. central) with the hour-premiere of the 4th season of THE GAME.

When the series first premiered, Melanie was a first-year medical school student who gave up an offer of admission to medical school in order to follow her boyfriend Derwin, a first year rookie with a professional football team, to San Diego, against the advice of her parents.  

When Melanie settled into her new life, she met Tasha, the mother of Sabers’ starting quarterback Malik, and Kelly the wife of Sabers’ captain Jason.  Both of whom immediately warn her to keep a close eye on her boyfriend because of the numerous “gold diggers” who target professional football players.  

The BET premiere of THE GAME picks up where things left off at the end of season three.  Viewers will join the team two years later with Derwin Davis (Pooch Hall) and Melanie Barnett-Davis (Tia Mowry Hardict) as the celebrity “IT” couple; Derwin is now the star he had always dreamed of becoming and Melanie has willingly traded in her residency for the demands of being a superstar’s wife.  The ever opinionated and outspoken Tasha Mack (Wendy Raquel Robinson) continues to make her mark in the field of sports management now that she has rebuilt Derwin’s career; Kelly Pitts (Brittany Daniel) – the former Mrs. Jason Pitts –tries to finesse her past as a footballer’s wife to leverage a lucrative future in reality television.  

Meanwhile, former San Diego Sabers’ star team captain, Jason Pitts (Coby Bell) has found a new career in sports commentating.  The fun-loving Malik Wright (Hosea Chanchez) continues to be the life of the party, but will he take things too far this time around? Fans can once again join their favorite team in the end zone as season four will surely not disappoint.  

THE GAME is executive produced by Mara Brock Akil, Salim Akil, and Kenny Smith. Salim is the Director of all episodes.

For more information, please visit www.bet.com

My Mic Sounds Nice Discusses Women in Hip-Hop

BET will take an in-depth look at the role of female rappers in the Hip-Hop industry with its first original music documentary special, My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women and Hip-Hop airing Monday, August 30th on the network.

Directed and produced by Ava DuVernay, the documentary will focus on how women have affected rap music and how the genre has affected and influenced female MCs, past and present.  My Micwill also examine gender specific differences in regards of artistry, marketing, promotion and economics within the music industry and explore the lack of female MCs and if there is still a place for women in Hip-Hop.

My Micwill feature interviews with journalist, executives and female MCs including Missy Elliott, Eve, Trina, Rah Digga, MC Lyte, Salt-n-Pepa, Yo Yo as well as music industry veterans Russell Simmons, Jermaine Dupri, Kevin Liles and more.  For more information on the documentary, visit www.bet.com

Photo by Dan Locke