Monica, Bilal, Tye Tribbett added to free shows at 2016 BET Experience

Monica, Bilal and Tye Tribbett are among the latest additions to the lineup of acts booked for free concerts for the 2016 BET Experience.

Before the four-day festival launches across multiple venues at L.A. Live later this month, Grammy winning R&B singers Monica and Bilal will headline the event’s kickoff concert at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles on June 18.

The kickoff concert, now in its third year, will also include performances from crooner Luke James and “Empire” star V Bozeman. Seating for the outdoor concert is on a first-come, first-served basis.

BET’s concert adds to the breadth of free counter-programming that supplements the ticketed offering of hip-hop, R&B and comedy concerts built around the network’s award show.

Buzzy Kanye West protégé Desiigner, chart-topping brother duo Rae Sremmurd and revered hip-hop veterans Fat Joe and Remy Ma are among those set to perform during the festival’s two-day BETX Fan Fest that takes over the Los Angeles Convention Center during the BET weekend.

O.T. Genasis, Kevin Gates, Dreezy, Jacquees, Chloe x Halle, Jovaine, Bibi Bourelly, BJ the Chicago Kid, Ro James, Kodie Shane, Detroit Che, Candice Boyd and AKA are among the other acts set to perform during the two-day free expo, set for June 25-26.

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Tribbett will anchor a gospel showcase, featuring Grammy-winning singer Tasha Cobbs, Tim Bowman Jr. and DeVon Franklin.

Ticketed events for this year’s BET Experience kick off June 23, with embattled comedian Katt Williams and Mike Epps headlining at Staples Center.

R&B megastar Usher and rising alt-R&B/hip-hop singers Bryson Tiller and Kehlani, along with rapper Madeintyo, will headline the second night.

Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz will close the weekend of shows at Staples when they perform from their recently released collaborative album, “ColleGrove.” The duo will be joined by rising rappers Fetty Wap, ASAP Ferg, Kodak Black and hip-hop singers Ty Dolla Sign and Tory Lanez.

Hip-hop producer Metro Boomin and the Roots are set to headline late-night shows at the Novo (formerly Club Nokia) June 24 and 25, respectively.

Tickets are on sale now through Axs. Single-day Staples Center show tickets start at $59.50, with three-day packages starting at $148.50. Novo ticket prices vary by artist.

VIP packages, which include a ticket to the awards show, range from $1,095 to $4,500.

More information can be found on the festival’s website, including registration for some of the popular free events at the two-day expo.

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