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The final day of BETX FanFest delivered everything fans have come to expect from one of culture’s biggest celebrations—live music, influential voices, community engagement, gaming, fashion, food, and unforgettable moments leading into the BET Awards 2026.
The FanFest Main Stage presented by Hyundai remained the heartbeat of the event, showcasing an impressive lineup that reflected the diversity of today’s music landscape. Performances from Papa Jay, Travis Malloy, Yung Miami, B2K, Big Marco aka Shamar, Coi Leray, kwn, Larry June, Swae Lee, and Trap Dickey kept fans energized throughout the day before Mariah the Scientist closed out the weekend with a standout headlining performance. Resident DJs Beenblackin, Brian Henry, and Venus X ensured there was never a lull in the celebration.
Beyond the performances, CenterStage continued to be one of the weekend’s biggest attractions by bringing fans face-to-face with some of entertainment’s most influential personalities. The cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas—KJ Smith-Black, Crystal Renee Hayslett, Mignon, Tunde Oyeneyin, and Jordan Coleman—joined moderator DomiNque Perry for an empowering discussion focused on sisterhood, growth, and representation.
Jason Lee also brought his popular talk show to life with a live taping featuring comedian Deon Cole, while Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer The-Dream offered attendees an intimate look into the songwriting process during the PEN TO PLATINUM Fireside Chat. Podcast favorites Drea Nicole and Lex P transformed their wildly successful Pour Minds podcast into a live experience, delivering candid conversations centered around entrepreneurship, relationships, and navigating adulthood with authenticity and humor.
Health and wellness remained an important part of the weekend’s programming. In recognition of National HIV Testing Day, Read the Room: Understanding the Landscape of Modern Sexual Wellness examined how technology, social media, and digital culture are reshaping conversations around HIV awareness, sexual wellness, and healthcare advocacy while encouraging attendees to challenge stigma through education and action.
The Culture Stage continued to celebrate every layer of Black culture through music, art, and tradition. Fans were treated to an exclusive listening experience celebrating the upcoming collaborative project PROLIFIC from Nipsey Hussle and Bino Rideaux inside the All Money In vault, while Soulection brought its signature global sound to the festival alongside DJ Nameless and Slowlikewhoa.
One of the day’s most inspiring moments came through the K.A.O.S. with an Iota of D.A.Z.S. Step Show
, presented by MC Lyte, Lynn Richardson, and the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation®. Black Greek fraternities and sororities filled the stage with powerful performances highlighting unity, leadership, and cultural excellence, joined by celebrity judges including Kym Whitley, Loni Love, Yo Yo, Nicci Gilbert, William Stanford Davis, and Brett Dismuke.
Gaming enthusiasts found their home inside the BETX Gaming House, where tournaments, cosplay showcases, anime discussions, and the Madden 26 Championship brought together gamers, creators, and fans in a vibrant competitive environment.
Meanwhile, The Kitchen celebrated culinary innovation with live demonstrations and standout food partners including Happy Ice, Harold and Belle’s, Wings N Waffles, and Two Hommès, creating another fan-favorite destination throughout the day.
The Exchange rounded out the experience by spotlighting Black- and Brown-owned businesses across fashion, beauty, art, and lifestyle. Attendees had the opportunity to shop directly from designers and creators representing brands such as Brandon Blackwood, House of Aama, Black Fashion Fair, Barriers, Pear Nova, Supervsn, Organic Garmentz, and many others—reinforcing BETX’s ongoing commitment to economic empowerment and creative entrepreneurship.
As the weekend came to a close, BETX FanFest once again demonstrated that it is far more than a music festival. It serves as a gathering place where entertainment, education, entrepreneurship, and community intersect—setting the stage for another unforgettable BET Awards celebration while highlighting the voices and visionaries continuing to shape the culture.
The post BETX FanFest Closes Out an Unforgettable Weekend with Mariah the Scientist, B2K, Coi Leray, Larry June & Powerful Conversations appeared first on The Hype Magazine.
