BILL VAUGHAN’S TASTY CLIPS: Beyoncé surprises with ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ album
Just in time for the expected smash opening of Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Lion King,” Beyoncé, who voices Nala in the film, has delivered an unexpected new album.
Using the release method that surprised all with her now classic “Lemonade,” Queen Bey has served as executive producer and curator of “The Lion King: The Gift,” an interpretation of the feel of the subject matter to accompany the original soundtrack.
Hubby Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, daughter Blue Ivy Carter, young Philly sensation Tierra Whack and movie co-star Childish Gambino contribute to the tracks. Also, a cadre of African stars including Mr. Eazi, Tekno, Yemi Alade and more are getting unprecedented exposure with the effort.
“This is sonic cinema. This is a new experience of storytelling,” Beyoncé said in a statement. “I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.”
RED CARPET RUN: Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is having its official premiere on July 22 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The movie’s stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Al Pacino and others, are expected to arrive between 5 and 6:30 p.m.
MAN ABOUT TOWN: Recording artist/actor/activist Common hits the city this week with a couple of high-profile appearances. On July 23, he’ll sit down for a conversation with Scott Goldman at the Grammy Museum/L.A. Live followed by a performance. The next night the award-winner’s “Let Love Have The Last Word Tour,” named after his latest memoir, stops at The Theatre at Ace Hotel.
TASTY QUIP: “You’re throwing yourself out there for people to pick at you, or steer you, or tell you their opinion, or laugh at you, or celebrate you. Whatever those are, you’re definitely amplifying that.” – IDRIS ELBA (“Luther” and “Hobbs & Shaw” opening Aug. 2) to Vanity Fair
CLIPPETTES: Brandy, Monica, Ashanti, Keri Hilson, Amerie and Lil Mo unite at the Microsoft Theater on July 19 for Femme It Forward, Live Nation Urban’s female-curated tour donating a portion of proceeds to philanthropic organizations that support the advancement of women …
Also that evening, Izzy Azalea with Vanessa Vanjie Mateo share the bill of the Fonda Theatre; Patti Austin and Steve Tyrell sing at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach; and a couple of two-night stands begin as Queen + Adam Lambert bring The Rhapsody Tour to The Forum and Hugh Jackman performs at The Hollywood Bowl …
Shonda Rhimes’ long-running ABC drama “How to Get Away With Murder,” starring Viola Davis, will end after this upcoming sixth season. The show’s creator is moving on to Netflix and at work on her next series, “Bridgerton,” looking at London’s high society …
Marla Gibbs and Freda Payne co-host The L.A. Women’s Theatre Festival event “Legends, Movement and Memories” with Florence LaRue of The 5th Dimension on July 20 at Greenway Court Theatre …
Meanwhile, it’s a 70s Soul Jam at The Greek Theater with The Stylistics, The Chi-Lites, Heatwave, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes and William Hart’s Delfonics; as the amazing Sheila E. and Pimps of Joytime hit the stage at Pershing Square …
Rumors are strong that Black British actress Lashana Lynch, who portrayed the pilot friend of “Captain Marvel,” will be bequeathed the iconic 007 ranking in the upcoming James Bond film that will mark Daniel Craig’s fourth time in the role …
After banging the drums on the road with the likes of Beyoncé and Maceo Parker, the extraordinary Nikki Glaspie (and her band The Homies) get down at The Mint on July 23; while guitar duo Rodriqo y Gabriela are at The Greek …
If you have musical talent and don’t mind being on reality television, Sean “Diddy” Combs is reviving his 2002 competition series “Making The Band” for MTV and accepting audition uploads via Instagram using the hashtag #MTBcasting …
George Porter Jr. (of The Meters fame) and his Phunky Friends meet July 24 at The Mint …
Avant-garde director Terence Nance (HBO’s “Random Acts Of Flyness”) has been replaced as director of Lebron James’ “Space Jam 2” by “Night School” helmer Malcolm D. Lee due to creative differences.
TV DINNERS: With Nickelodeon’s revival of “All That,” the sketch comedy show that ran from 1994 to 2005, comes a pop-up restaurant serving fans in West Hollywood. The “Good Burger” themed spot, based on the popular routine that launched comics Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, has a menu curated by chef Alvin Cailin.
You can order Good Chunks (chicken tenders), the Good Chicken Sandwich, fries, salads, milkshakes and of course, the Good Burger, all available gluten-free. Your reservations at www.goodburgerpopup.com/ get you a 90-minute experience including a commemorative item through July 30.
TC ON TV: July 19 – “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee” (Netflix): Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Seth Rogan, Ricky Gervais, Martin Short, Mario Joyner and more take a ride with Jerry Seinfeld in the 11th season. “All Or Nothing” (Amazon): QB Cam Newton and “The Carolina Panthers” are on display for eight episodes of this in-depth look at an NFL team.
July 21 – “Loved To Death” (TV1): Malinda Williams, MC Lyte and Tobias Truvillion star in the fact-based tale of a once-loving relationship turned deadly. “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted” (NGC): The chef travels the globe unearthing world cultures through food and adventure opening with a visit to “Peru’s Sacred Valley.” The network must have high hopes for the series which also filmed in Laos, New Zealand, Morocco, Hawaii and Alaska as a second season was ordered in advance of tonight’s premiere. “To Tell The Truth” (ABC): Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Vivica A. Fox, Nikki Glaser
July 22 – “Tiger Woods – Chasing History” (Golf): Offers a career retrospective and examines his chances at passing Sam Snead’s 82 victories for the most all-time on the PGA Tour. “Yum and Yummer” (Cooking): It’s all about the best of the best as Eddie Jackson tracks down the yummiest, most satisfying and most decadent foods, dishes and cuisines around the world.
July 23 – “Who Killed Garrett Phillips?” (HBO): A two-part documentary film examines the 2011 upstate New York murder of a 12-year-old and the subsequent trial of Clarkson University soccer coach Oral “Nick” Hillary that raised racial tensions.
July 24 – “Snowfall” (FX): This episode was written by Walter Mosley, author of the Easy Rawlins crime novel series which includes “Devil in a Blue Dress.” “South Side” (Comedy): A new scripted series written by and starring Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle set in and around the working-class neighborhood of Englewood on the South Side of Chicago.
TASTY QUIP: “People are always like, ‘He’s having a moment, moment, moment…’ Shove that ‘moment’ up your ass. I’m really f—ing tired of hearing that I’m having a moment. I’ve been doing this a long time. Are y’all saying Meryl Streep is having a moment? It really frustrates me, because it implies there’s an ending — like you’re betting on me being gone like that. I don’t want that. I want to be here for the long haul.” – BRIAN TYREE HENRY (“Atlanta,” “Child’s Play” and the upcoming “Joker”) to Rolling Stone
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. To reach Bill Vaughan, send email to [email protected] or via Twitter @tastyclips.