By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
Six-time Grammy award winning rap/pop pioneers Black Eyed Peas are set for an exclusive 4K interactive streaming experience June 11 on BEPLIVE.COM.
This will be their first show in support of their 2020 platinum-selling album “Translation,” which even during the pandemic found success in a series of chart-topping singles, collectively winning numerous award nominations, as well as gold, platinum and diamond certifications globally and sparking viral TikTok challenges.
The concert will not only feature original members will.i.am, Taboo, apl.de.ap in their first live performance with an audience since Covid-19 but will also feature some unique surprises that fans will not want to miss.
When asked about the upcoming concert, will.i.am said, “There are dates in life we will always remember: the day the studio was shuttered, the day live shows and touring got canceled, and the festivals we missed. BEP Live will forever be remembered as the show that restarts Black Eyed Peas live shows with a live audience with love and great reverence.”
The live stream is using new blockchain streaming platform Eluv.io via Melrose Media and will allow the complete freedom to experience your own personal perspective from every angle to immerse yourself into a live concert event from the comfort of your own personal living room.
The one-of-a-kind high resolution multi camera event is accessible on mobile phones, desktop, tablets, Apple TV or Roku. All payments will be accepted, including crypto currencies to purchase the live streaming.
GENERATIONAL: Marsai Martin, the “black-ish” co-star who became Hollywood’s youngest producer with 2019’s “Little,” is serving as executive producer of Girls Inc. 2021 Film Festival on June 13 from 4 to 7 p.m.
This star-studded virtual event hosted by Amber Ruffin will spotlight Girls Inc. girls, who in partnership with leading women directors including Renee Elise Goldsberry, Darnell Martin and Amber Stevens West; and special guests Tracee Ellis Ross, Venus Williams and Misty Copeland, will tell their inspiring stories through the art of cinema.
For more information on the ceremony, visit girlsinc.org/.
MOVIE WATCH: The last time Tasty Clips spoke to talented Jamaican-Canadian filmmaker Charles Officer he was promoting his feature debut tour-de-force “Nurse.Fighter.Boy.” Now he is back with the atmospheric crime thriller “Akilla’s Escape” (opening in select theaters and on digital platforms June 11).
Poet and actor Saul Williams (“Slam“) created the score (with Massive Attack’s 3D) and stars as a criminal turned legit businessman who finds himself drawn back into the underworld of Toronto while helping a mute 15-year-old boy, engagingly played by Thamela Mpumlwana (“Star Trek: Discovery”).
The cinematic crime noir is a poignant art piece that presents an alternative definition to the media’s portrayal of Black masculinity.
TASTY QUIP: “Cancellation doesn’t have its own culture. That was people of color. That was us policing our own culture. That was people without a voice being trashed by people just because they had a bigger name than them and more money than them and a better office than them, they could sweep them up under the rug like they didn’t matter. I don’t know what people we think got canceled that we wish we had back.” – KATT WILLIAMS on “The Joe Budden Podcast”
CLIPPETTES: “Annie Live!” has landed Academy Award-nominated Taraji P. Henson to play its infamous queen of mean, Miss Hannigan. The award-winning actress will play opposite a soon-to-be-discovered young star as the network kicks off a nationwide casting search. The live production of the beloved Tony Award-winning hit musical will air Dec. 2 on NBC …
Concerts In Your Car presents Nelly & Baby Bash at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at Seaside Park on June 12. The “safe, in-your-car, outdoor ‘in the round’ live stage performance” begins at 8 …
Also that night, Thundercat and Flying Lotus give their first live performance since the two won the 2021 Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album for “It Is What It Is,” on June 12 in a free invite-only show for frontline and essential workers at the Hollywood Bowl. If that is not you, don’t fret. The bassist will begin a North American tour this fall with tickets now on sale for his Nov. 27 show at Shrine Expo Hall …
Billy Porter (“Pose”) is writing a family drama following three generations of a Black show-business dynasty called “Fruits of Thy Labor” for Peacock …
Kennedy Center offers An Evening Of Jazz and Dance featuring award–winning New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Tiler Peck, visionary choreographer Alonzo King, Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran, Grammy Award–winning jazz artist Gregory Porter, and more. It premieres June 15 and may be seen on demand through Aug. 1 at Kennedycenter.org/digitalstage/ …
Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Diego Luna and Keanu Reeves were announced as part of the voice cast of the animated feature “DC League of Super-Pets” set for a theatrical release next year …
USC presents “A Conversation with Angela Davis” on June 16 at 5 p.m. The activist and scholar will address numerous issues related to race, gender, and a 21st century abolitionist movement that envisions a world without prisons. Live via Zoom, admission is free with registration at www.calendar.usc.edu/event/angela_davis …
Later in the evening, The Mint hosts a funk party with premier drummer Nikki Glaspie (“Nth Power,” Beyoncé, Maceo Parker) & The Homies (who have played and performed with the likes of Chaka Kahn, Prince, Stevie Wonder and Jay-Z). Previous installments found Earth, Wind & Fire’s Verdine White and Craig Robinson of “The Office” jamming on stage …
Despite declaring he was through with the character, Tyler Perry will write, direct and star in “A Medea Homecoming” for Netflix to be released in 2022. It will mark his ninth “Madea” film …
Celebrate Black Music Month with a free, live streamed concert June 17 as AARP Nashville and the National Museum of African American Music honors the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and Quincy Jones. For more info, visit: www.nmaam.org.
TASTY QUIP: “When I first came over here — this was before the influx of Black British actors taking over Hollywood and just killing it — I would go on stage and open my mouth and people had no idea where I was from. They didn’t realize that there were Black people in England. And they don’t realize that the Brits were the biggest slavers. The British Empire ruled the planet at one point by subjugating millions of people all over the globe. At least American racism is in your face. You know where you stand with your hood-wearing KKK, your skinheads, your police officers. Our police officers in England are just as racist. The difference is our police officers aren’t allowed to carry guns, hence Black people don’t die in the same numbers.” – GINA YASHERE (“Bob Hearts Abishola”) to Daily Beast
TC ON TV: June 11 – “Lupin” (Netflix): The remaining five episodes of the popular French series starring Omar Sy as a justice-seeking gentleman thief are released. “Betty” (HBO): Based on creator Crystal Moselle‘s 2018 Sundance hit “Skate Kitchen,” the second season finds our five protagonists stepping firmly into womanhood and tackling all the challenges it brings while rolling through a pandemic laden New York City.
June 13 – “United Shades of America” (CNN): “Trans In Texas” ends the sixth season of W. Kamau Bell’s docu-series.
June 15 – “Honoring Our Kings: OWN Celebrates Black Fatherhood” (OWN): Hosted by Oprah Winfrey and award-winning actor and producer Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”), this two-hour special features conversations with everyday dads, special messages from celebrity fathers (Dwayne Wade, John Legend, D.L. Hughley, Deon Cole, Tony Gonzalez) and a musical performance by Andra Day.
June 16 – “$100,000 Pyramid” (ABC): “Pose” stars Dominique Jackson and Indya Moore battle. “Dave” (FXX): The hit half-hour comedy is based on the life of rapper and comedian Dave Burd, better known by his stage name Lil Dicky. It returns with back-to-back episodes. “Conan” (TBS): JB Smoove guests during this final two weeks of shows.
June 17 – “Prime Day Show” (Amazon): H.E.R., Kid Cudi and Billie Eilish are featured in a three-part immersive musical event that fuses performance and storytelling, transporting fans to worlds inspired by Paris, The Dunbar Hotel, and outer space.
IN MEMORIUM: “When I was a kid growing up in NYC, CLARENCE WILLIAMS III was a face on TV that I identified with and that inspired me. From the ‘Mod Squad,’ to ‘Purple Rain’ and ‘Sugar Hill,’ he always performed with dynamic energy. Rest in power, King.” – LENNY KRAVITZ in homage to the 81-year-old actor who died last week after battling colon cancer.
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
