The opening night of the BET Experience at the Los Angeles Staples Center Friday (June 27) sparked a musical excursion down memory lane steered by Maxwell and Jill Scott.

Presented by Progressive, the show opened up with American Idol–winner Candice Glover, before Marsha Ambrosious came in with a medley of her music including the crowd favorite "I Hope She Cheats on You (With A Basketball Player)."

Scott took the stage next in a figure-hugging black dress amid loads of cheers. The Philly-born songstress took a minute to soak in the adoration, then launched into her own résumé of records dating back to her 14-year-old debut, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (Scott's performance of the album's beguiling fourth single, "The Way," was one of many highlights), up to 2011's The Light of the Sun. The "Blessed" singer sprinkled new music in between, closing out with "Golden."

Maxwell, the night's headliner, had a cool control over the audience. The 41-year-old Brooklyn-born singer emitted a luster as hypnotizing as the day he debuted Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite. Among the set list were "Sumthin' Sumthin'," "This Woman's Work," "Bad Habits," "Fistful of Tears" and "Pretty Wings" to end the show. 

Tonight (June 28), hip hop takes center stage, with a pinch of R&B. The concert features Outkast, Rick Ross, A$AP Rocky, August Alsina and Ty Dolla $ign. 

Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Jill Scott, A$AP Rocky, Rick Ross and many more. Click here for more details and info on how to purchase tickets.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photos: Earl Gibson/BET/Getty Images for BET)