BET Music Matters is kicking off 2015 with performances by two artists during the Lakers vs. Clippers game at the Staples Center on Wednesday January 7 at 10:30ET/7:30PT.

Opening the night will be singer and star of the movie Notorious Antonique Smith, who will sing the national anthem just before the game begins. Meanwhile, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Mali Music will perform a brief set during halftime.

The performances are a teaser of sorts to get the crowd ready for the BET Experience 2015, which will be returning to L.A. Live this summer and will feature free performances by some of BET’s handpicked artists on the rise at the Music Matters stage.

Mali Music, whose music has continued to garner critical acclaim since the release of his debut album, The Coming, back in 2008, delivered a memorable performance at the very first BET Experience in 2013. Antonique was selected as a Music Matters artist this past year and has headlined several Music Matters shows.

Among the Music Matters artists to join the roster since its launch in 2010 are Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius, Miguel, K. Michelle and many others. 

Click here to win a trip to the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in Phoenix, plus four tickets to the Big Game. 

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(Photos from Left:Cooper Neill/Getty Images for BET, Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)