By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
Mahalia Jackson, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Queen Latifah were announced as members of the class of 2023 for the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame at an induction reception graced by actor and activist Danny Glover at Atlanta, Georgia’s MODEx Studios.
“It’s about preservation. It’s about legacy,” said Catherine Brewton, a founder, along with music industry powerhouses Demmette Guidry, Michael T. Mauldin (Black American Music Association) and Erica Thomas (co-chair of the Georgia Entertainment Caucus).
Also cited for the honored Crown Jewel of Excellence bronze plate, created by famed sculptor Ed Dwight, are an oh-so-worthy roster of Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Busta Rhymes, Marvin Sapp and Lil Wayne (who, in hip-hop’s 50 years, is celebrating 25 in the business – at 40 years old)!
“It’s important to give flowers while they’re here,” said Guidry, an L.A. native who was an avid Wave reader. “It’s also important to celebrate Mahalia Jackson because the kids don’t know. Some of the kids I talk to don’t know who Stevie Wonder is. Imagine that. So that’s why these things are so important.”
Since 2021 Stevie, Quincy Jones, Otis Redding, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Usher, Outkast, Beyoncé and Missy Elliott (who was brought to tears upon seeing her space), have already been enshrined on the sidewalks of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Northside Drive in front of Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium.
“There are over 1 million people who walk across that walk of fame every single year,” Thomas said with Brewton adding that the World Cup is coming in 2026. The goal is to have 150 to 200 emblems with a newly installed, interactive component in the ground by then.
“We want to be on the cutting edge,” she stated with positivity. “We want to influence the next level.”
For details on the induction in October, visit theblackwalkoffame.com.
CLIPPETTES: Ali Wong is live at Long Beach’s Terrace Theater June 16, as the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra performs at the World Stage. Also Andy Garcia & The Cineson All Stars kick off a two-night “Cuban Jam Session” at Catalina Bar & Grill, and “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” continues its run at The Pantages …
The Erykah Badu: Unfollow Me Tour with Yasiin Bey is at Crypto.com Arena June 17, while Warren G & Too Short are at the Belasco Theater, Julian Marley sings at The Venice West, Russell Peters jokes at Long Beach’s Terrace Theater and the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, curated by Kamasi Washington and Herbie Hancock, begins two nights of music …
Bryson Tiller: Back and I’m Better Tour comes to The Wiltern June 18 …
On the comedy tip, Largo hosts “Best Friends” with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata June 19, while the Hollywood Improv presents Monderays with DeRay Davis and others …
Chuck D (co-founder of Public Enemy), Lisane Basquiat (sibling of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat), Gil Vazquez (president of The Keith Haring Foundation), and producer/curator Lorrie Boula discuss hip hop’s global impact, including its influence on visual art and the culture of 1980s New York and beyond, at Zipper Hall/Colburn School June 20 …
Join “Real Conversations with AARP” and Sheila E. at 4 p.m. June 21 via events/aarp.org …
Later the Grammy Museum screens “Keyshia Cole: This is My Story,” followed by a post-screening conversation with the singer, who is an executive producer and stars in the film. The conversation will be moderated by Vibe’s Mya Abraham …
Jill Scott is set to rule the stage of the Hollywood Bowl June 22, as Paul Rodriguez Presents: Spanglish at the Laugh Factory.
A FATHER’S STATEMENT: “To all of my fans, I want you to know that I am doing well. I am not in ICU, nor was I ever fighting for my life. First, I want the GoFundMe campaign about me to stop immediately and the funds subsequently returned to those who made donations. My son and I will reveal more information at the appropriate time.” — JOHN AMOS responding to his daughter’s claim that he was being abused and in life-threatening conditions.
TC ON TV: June 16 – “Chevalier” (Hulu): Stephen Williams’ thrilling biopic of unsung composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a tour de force performance, debuts on the streamer. “Extraction 2” (Netflix): Idris Elba is the chief antagonist in this sequel to the action-packed hit top-lined by Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”). “Stan Lee” (Disney+): The official documentary about “The Man” and his rise to influence in the world of comic books and pop culture. “Morimoto’s Sushi Master” (Roku): Renowned chef and restaurateur Masaharu Morimoto is the head judge of this six-episode competition hosted by Lyrica Okano (“Marvel’s Runaways”). “The 2023 James Beard Awards” (Cooking): The nation’s top chefs get their due in this ceremony taped in Chicago.
June 17 – “Althea” (Ovation): The 2014 documentary about Althea Gibson, the first African American to play and win at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals. “Exposing Parchman” (A&E): An investigative documentary from Roc Nation, which explores the ongoing efforts to reform the Mississippi correctional system. “Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman” (Lifetime): The story of Kendra (Ajiona Alexus) and Ben (Da’Vinchi) continues in this sequel to “Real Love.”
June 18 – “The Walking Dead: Dead City” (AMC/BBCA): Follows the popular Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) characters traveling into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, long ago cut off from the mainland. “Loudmouth” (SHO): Rev. Al Sharpton is the focus of this illuminating documentary.
June 19 – “Black Pop: Celebrating the Power of Black Culture” (E!): Executive-produced by Stephen Curry and narrated by La La Anthony, the two-night special event explores how the influence of Black culture is more than a trend. “Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White” (Bounce): An elegant march through the nearly century-long life of the Trumpet Awards founder from her years working closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King through her pioneering broadcasting career with Ted Turner. “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom” (CNN/OWN): Live from the Greek Theatre with Miguel, Kirk Franklin, SWV, Davido, Coi Leray, Jodeci, Adam Blackstone, Questlove and more. “The Great American Recipe” (PBS): A new group of home cooks compete in the contest hosted by Alejandra Ramos and judged by Leah Cohen, Tiffany Derry and Graham Elliot. “Soul of a Nation” (ABC): “Juneteenth Special”
June 20 – “85 South: Ghetto Legends” (Netflix): A stand-up comedy special featuring the trio of DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean.
June 21 – “Secret Invasion” (Disney+): Set in the present-day Marvel Comics Universe, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shape-shifters. With the all-star cast of Don Cheadle, Charlayne Woodard, Emilia Clarke, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Martin Freeman, Olivia Colman, Ben Mendelsohn and Samuel Adewunmi. “The Stroll” (HBO): Tells the powerful and poignant history of transgender sex workers in New York’s pre-gentrified meatpacking district in the 1990s. “Below The Belt: The Last Health Taboo” (PBS): From executive producers Rosario Dawson, Corrine Foxx, Mae Whitman and Hillary Rodham Clinton comes this expose of widespread problems in the health care system that disproportionately affect women.
June 22 – “The Bear” (FX on Hulu): More of the critically acclaimed original series about a Chicago sandwich shop crew. “And Just Like That…” (Max): The “Sex and the City” crew (even Kim Cattrall‘s Samantha for a bit) are back for another round. “Skull Island” (Netflix): Nicolas Cantu and Benjamin Bratt provide voices for this cartoon revisiting the domain of one King Kong. “Live with Kelly & Mark” (ABC): Zoë Saldaña, Randall Park and Ncuti Gatwa (the first Black man to play the lead role of “Doctor Who” in the long-running British sci-fi series). “Trippin’ with Anthony Anderson & Mama Doris” (E!): The son and his mother take a six-week excursion through England, France and Italy – to discover some of Europe’s wonders for her first time, and to experience a real, cultural vacation filled with history and luxury.
END QUOTE: “They tried to use my image to defame, talk-down on other women who were expressing themselves and showing their skin. We all want autonomy. I wanted autonomy to wear my suit for 10 years without y’all telling me I look like the (Planters) peanut man. And I did that.” — JANELLE MONAE on “The Breakfast Club”
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly 1 million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
