Beyoncé commanded the stage as the world class performer she is in the first of three nights for her RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR in Southern California. Los Angeles-area fans had months to prepare for this weekend and they came ready to celebrate the biggest tour of the year dressed in their finest and most expressive fits which received raves from the mother of the House of Chrome. Next show is tomorrow, Saturday, September 2nd and ends with the ultimate party on September 4th, Beyoncés birthday.
Beyoncé wears Gucci, styled by Shiona Turini. Hair by Neal Farinah. Makeup by Rokael Lizama. Jewelry by Tiffany & Co.
Photographer: Mason Poole
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RIGHTS GRANTED FOR USE OF THIS PHOTO IN CONJUNCTION WITH COVERAGE OF THE RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR. NO OTHER USE OF THIS PHOTO IS APPROVED.
- Beyonce Ruled the World with “Renaissance”
When Beyonce won her 32nd Grammy this February, she made history as the most Grammy Winning Artist of all time. In May, she began her Renaissance World Tour which included 10 countries, 39 cities, 56 shows. Three of the shows took place in Los Angeles including her 42nd birthday show which featured a surprise appearance from legendary singer Diana Ross. Members of the “BeyHive” got to relive the magical moments from the show when the concert film which was released on December 1st in honor of World AIDS day as well as her late uncle Johnny was #1 at the box office and have grossed nearly $40 million worldwide.
- Historic Strikes Hault Hollywood
For the first time since 1960 both SAG/AFTRA & the WGA were on strike. In addition to a DGA strike which lasted for 100 days, the WGA strike ended after 148 days and SAG/AFTRA strike lasted 118 days. The resulting agreements included more transparency and residuals with streaming services as well as limiting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for replacing and replicating actors’ voices, image, and likeness for future projects.
- In Memorandum: Legends who were laid to rest
“Queen of Rock & Roll” singer Tina Turner died on May 25th at 83 years old at her home in Switzerland. Music Executive and film producer, Clarence Avant died on August 12th at age 92. “Shaft,” star Richard Roundtree, died on October 24th at 81. David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, from 90s rap group, De La Soul passed of congestive heart failure on February 12th at age 54. On April 25, Civil Rights Activist and actor Harry Belafonte, died of congestive heart failure at age 96. Wayne Shorter, Jazz Saxophone Pioneer, died on March 2nd at 89. The first Black person to star in a soap opera, Ellen Holly, died at 92.
4. Johnny Gill Accepts ‘Culture Icon’ Award At KJLH Stage
History was made amid the 18th Annual Taste of Soul. Legendary singer, and songwriter, Johnny Gill, was the recipient of the first annual “Cultural Icon” award from Stevie Wonder on the Radio Free KJLH Stage and received a proclamation for his “outstanding contributions to the world of music” from Councilmember Heather Hutt. For over 40 years, Gill’s sultry voice has captivated audiences as a member of New Edition and LSG as well as a solo artist with hits such as “My, My, My,” “There You Go,” and “Rub You The Right Way.”
- Hip-Hop Turns 50 and Women In Rap Make History
Missy Elliott became the first female rapper inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She previously made history as the only female rap artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Virginia native holds the record for most platinum albums by a woman rapper. Elliott was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Queen Latifah who also made history this year becoming the first female hip-hop artist to receive the Kennedy Center Honors which is bestowed upon performing artists for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. Latifah is a Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe winner as well as the star of “The Equalizer” (CBS) which is in its fourth season.
- Halle Bailey Makes “The Little Mermaid” A Splash Hit
From the moment it was announced that a Black actress, Halle Bailey, was cast for the live action version “The Little Mermaid” the film was marred with backlash. However, during Memorial Day weekend, moviegoers swam into theaters and proved the naysayers wrong. The remake of the 1989 Disney classic took in $95.5 million opening weekend and went on to gross over $550 million worldwide. Bailey’s blockbuster year is far from over as she’s also a part of another remake, the highly anticipated film, “The Color Purple” which was released on Christmas Day.
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- Studios drop Jonathan Majors after conviction
Jonathan Majors is currently awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. After securing coveted roles within Marvel Universe including “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” as well as the first two seasons of “Loki,” Majors was poised to be a prominent figure in the forthcoming “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty”(2026). However, once a jury found Majors guilty of one misdemeanor assault charge and one harassment violation following a March altercation with Jabari, Marvel and Disney dropped Majors from all upcoming features.
8. Ruth E. Carter Makes History And Angela Bassett to Be Recognized By The Academy
On March 12, Ruth E. Carter made history, again, becoming the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards. Carter won her first “Best Costume Design” Oscar for “Black Panther” in 2019. At the 95th annual Academy Awards, Carter won her second Oscar for the film’s sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” While it was predicted that Angela Bassett would win that evening in the category of “Best Supporting Actress” for her role as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” she lost to Jamie Lee Curtis’s portrayal as Deirdre Beaubeirdre in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Bassett will receive an Honorary Oscar, a lifetime achievement accolade, during the Governors Awards Ceremony in January 2024. In other “Black Panther” news, the late actor Chadwick Boseman will receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024.
- Tony! Toni! Toné! Reuniting After 25 years
“Do you know what today is?” A legendary question made famous by the Tony! Toni! Toné! song “Anniversary” in 1993. The Grammy nominated trio released four platinum selling albums prior to disbanding in 1996. Saadiq would go on to achieve solo success releasing his own albums as well as writing and producing for other artists including Erykah Badu, D’Angelo and Mary J. Blige. Most recently Saadiq was a co-writer and co-producer of Beyonce’s “Pure/Honey” and the Grammy-winning “Cuff It” from “Renaissance.” In October, millennials and boomers alike were shocked and overjoyed to see that Saadiq was revisiting the group for the national “Tony! Toni! Tone! Just Me And You,” which will be followed by new music.
- Rihanna Headlines Super Bowl Halftime And Passes The Mic To Usher
After a seven year hiatus since the release of her last album, “ANTI” (2016) Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime performance during Super Bowl LVII was one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. The Kansas City Chiefs may have won the game against the Philadelphia Eagles but Rihanna made history by having the most watched halftime performance of all time,according to Nielsen’s ratings. The beauty mogul used the performance to announce that she was expecting her second child with rapper A$AP Rocky. In the midst of a year long sold out residency in Las Vegas, it was announced that the 2024 Halftime performer will be the legendary, Diamond-selling, eight-time Grammy award winning singer Usher. He’ll perform nearly three-decades of hits during a 13-minute set on Feb. 11 from Allegiant Stadium.
