Mary J Blige, AKA and Maxwell shine at BET Experience Africa

The inaugural BET Experience Africa – the closest thing to world renowned lifestyle festivals such as Coachella – took place on Saturday at the Ticketpro Dome.

The 12-hour extravaganza boasted all sorts of entertainment ranging from music, sports, fashion, food and comedy. Here are the four highlights from the festival.

Mary J Blige

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Often dubbed the Queen of Ghetto Love, Mary J Blige lived up to that title during her BET Experience Africa set. The 44-year-old Grammy winning superstar wears her heart on her sleeve, which is why she easily managed the almost impossible of establishing a rapport with both the younger generation and older folk, simultaneously. There was never a dull moment during Mary's performance, taking it back to 1995 with I'm Going Down and bringing it back to 2001 with No More Drama.

Everyone was on their feet, everyone was dancing and everyone was certainly singing along. Mary gave plenty of hip-thrusting moves like it was 1996. She swayed, strutted and sashayed across the stage. Not once did it feel choreographed. The mood at the almost 20 000 capacity Dome was so electric that at one stage Mary left the stage for a quick outfit change, so quick that many didn't even notice that she had left. Speaking of Mary's stage sartorial, she oozed so much swag in her ghetto fabulous ensembles – cut-out jumpsuit, open-toe boots and peek-a-boo top.

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AKA

Hip Hop hit-maker AKA's BET Experience Africa  showed that he has been working on becoming a confident performer over the last few months, instead of just being known as a commercial rapper with a long string of radio-friendly singles. Aside from great rhythmical skills, lyrical originality and colossal flow style; being a powerhouse stage performer adds some edge to a rapper's DNA and ultimately extend their valuable fan-base. Watching AKA live is testament that he has caught on to this.

Performing hits such as Congratulate, Baddest and Run Jozi; AKA utilized the magnificent BET Experience Africa stage lighting, sound and other production integrals to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with. AKA was so infectious with the concert goers that when he dropped his controversial diss track Composure during the latter part of his set even rap nemesis Anatii was seen in the crowd getting into the groove.

Maxwell

Any massive baby boom post BET Experience Africa shall be blamed on Maxwell's sweet, soothing and sexy sound. Many say urban R&B is dead due to the influence of commercial hip hop. Maxwell effortlessly affirmed otherwise, reminding many why his name is synonymous with neo-soul R&B. Maxwell employed his smooth falsetto technique in his deliverance of hit songs as This Woman's Work and Pretty Wings to give a memorable performance.