AKA and Nathi join global stars for BET Experience Africa

AKA and Nathi join American R&B superstars Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Raphael Saadiq, and rapper Young Thug, as well as African giants Flavour (Nigeria) and Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) at the spectacular global celebration of urban culture, music and lifestyle hosted by entertainment channel BET (DStv channel 129). American singer Tamar Braxton was initially scheduled to perform but had to withdraw from the line-up owing to ill health.

BET Experience Africa provides the perfect kick-off to the summer season, taking over the Dome for a non-stop, jam-packed entertainment fest, bringing together lovers of urban culture and music. Wowing visitors all day long, the BET Experience Africa will showcase great food, fashion, music, comedy, dance, sport and much more.

AKA is recognized as one of the most talented and influential rappers in South Africa and on the African continent. As well as sharing stages with the likes of Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Big Sean, AKA has received a host of awards and accolades. This year alone he was nominated for Best International Act (Africa) at the BET Awards in the USA, Best African Act at the 2015 MTV EMAs in Italy and Best International Act (Africa) at the MOBO awards in the UK (losing out to Ghana’s Fuse ODG). He went on to win Best Collaboration at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) in Durban in July.

2015 has also been an extraordinary year for Nathi, the Afro-Soul singer from the Eastern Cape whose debut album Buyel’ekhaya recently went double platinum, selling more than 100 000 copies in just a few months. Filled with heartfelt soul, formidable vocals and haunting acoustic guitar, Nathi’s track ‘Nomvula’, has become one of the biggest songs of 2015.

Another recent edition to the line-up is US superstar Mary J. Blige. Ever since her 1992 multi-platinum debut album, What’s the 411?, the singer has attracted an intensely loyal fanbase, propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums and 25 million singles. With eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (and a staggering 30 nominations) and four American Music Awards, Blige recently returned with her 10th studio album, the aptly titled My Life II:The Journey Continues (Act 1), a sequel to her 1994 classic My Life.

Other stars in the mix include Black Motion, DJ Euphonik and SA-based American singer Monique Bingham

Inspiring, immersive and hugely entertaining, BET Experience Africa will feature stunning live performances on a central Sound Stage, while stand-up routines from comedy stars will keep the audience laughing. Watch top celebrities battle each other for sporting supremacy at the fun-packed Celebrity Basketball Game, while fashionistas will be able to check out the hottest trends. For inspiration, attend one of BET’s informative and instructive Genius Talks, curated by experts and opinion formers in a range of different fields.

Ticket prices range from R750 (mezzanine level) to R1500 (Golden Circle). Tickets are on sale now at Ticketpro. For more information on the BET Experience Africa, visit the BET Africa website or Facebook page, or watch the video below.