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BILL VAUGHAN’S TASTY CLIPS: Kendrick Lamar and SZA to Go On Grand National Tour

LOS ANGELES WAVE — Compton superstar rapper Kendrick Lamar will follow his Super Bowl halftime show appearance by going on the road. The “Grand National Tour,” with his frequent star collaborator SZA, is set for 19 stadiums nationwide with it arriving at SoFi Stadium for shows May 21 and 23. 

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By Bill Vaughan, Entertainment Writer | Los Angeles WAVE

Hot upon the surprise release of his excellent album “GNX” catapulting to the top of the sales charts last week (along with hit singles “Squabble Up,” “tv off,” “luther” and “wacced out murals”), Compton superstar rapper Kendrick Lamar will follow his Super Bowl halftime show appearance by going on the road.

The “Grand National Tour,” with his frequent star collaborator SZA, is set for 19 stadiums nationwide with it arriving at SoFi Stadium for shows May 21 and 23.

Tickets go on sale to the public Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. For further details, visit grandnationaltour.com.

RED CARPET WALK: Walt Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” is having its Hollywood premiere on Dec. 9 at the El Capitan Theatre. Voice actors for the film including the hot Aaron Pierre (“Ruby Ridge”), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“Chevalier”), Thandiwe Newton, Keith David, Donald Glover, Anika Noni Rose, Seth Rogan and perhaps Blue Ivy Carter and mom Beyonce could arrive between 5 and 6:30 p.m.

REMEMBRANCE: In honor of the late Tony Todd (“Candyman”), who sadly passed away recently, the world theatrical premiere of “The Activated Man,” featuring his final starring film role, is scheduled for Dec.12 at the Laemmle Fine Arts Theatre. Additionally, the movie will have a weeklong theatrical run in L.A. and other cities across the U.S. and Canada beginning Dec. 13 and on demand.

TASTY QUIP: “I have observed behavior of my white counterparts on set where people will get loud and frustrated. It is couched as being passionate or just sort of, like animated, like it’s given a moniker that is not ‘angry.’ I see it happen and I go, ‘If I did the exact same thing, I do not get the pass.’ Just by being Black in general, the level and amount of latitude for bad behavior, you have different consequences.” – STERLING K. BROWN (“This is Us”) on his podcast, “We Don’t Always Agree”

CLIPPETTES: iHeartRadio Jingle Ball with SZA, Kane Brown, T-Pain, Shaboozey and more comes Dec. 6 to Intuit Dome as Martin Lawrence’s “Y’all Know What It Is! Tour” with Ms. Pat, Desi Banks and Benji Brown is at Crypto.com Arena …

Also, Roddy Richh is at the Palladium, Thee Sacred Souls at The Wiltern, and Jo Koy kicks off two nights of comedy at Long Beach’s Terrace Theater …

The Comedy Store In support of the WeHo LAFD, is gathering gift donations for local kids and teens this holiday season. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the taping of George Lopez’ next special on Dec. 7 …

Musically, Donell Jones, Dave Hollister and J. Holiday are at the Saban Theatre, TV On The Radio at the El Rey Theatre, and Kenny G’s “The Miracles Holiday and Hits Tour” lands at the Pechanga Resort …

Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali will be honored with the prestigious Muhammad Ali Voice of Humanity and Emmy Award winner Niecy Nash-Betts will receive the Voice Arts Icon Award at the Voice Arts Awards Gala 2024 on Dec. 8 at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom …

Additionally, that night for the very first time, Andrea Bocelli comes to the Kia Forum as part of his “30th Anniversary Tour” …

Martin Lawrence’s third annual Toy Drive “Celebrity Go-Kart Holiday Kick-Off” will be held Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each racer has submitted a three-item “gift wish list,” and potential sponsors and contributors are invited to participate by purchasing gifts through their gift registry at amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2CAFS1HX5AXBN. Just buy a gift and they will send you the location …

Peacock has renewed “Bel-Air,” its dramedy spin-off for a fourth and final season. Since many of the original cast have appeared in different roles, one must wonder if it is time for “The Fresh Prince” himself, Will Smith. In the meantime, Smith is set for two intimate live performances at the Observatory North Park in San Diego, Dec. 11 and 12. Tickets (with airfare and accommodations through drawings) are available at Fandiem.com …

On Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the 11th annual TDE Christmas Concert & Toy Drive featuring SZA, ScHoolboy Q, Doechii and more will be held at William Nickerson Gardens Skate Park …

The spirit continues at 7 p.m. with “Jingle & Jams 2024: Lalah Hathaway’s Holiday Lounge” presented by The Melanated Elves at Inglewood’s Miracle Theater. Event highlights include live performances, DJ Spark, immersive photo ops, festive food and drinks, do-it-yourself crafts, games and shopping …

Meanwhile over at Catalina Jazz Club, master bassist and composer Marcus Miller begins his engagement …

Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty (“America The Beautiful”) and Ledisi (“Lift Every Voice and Sing”) have been added to the pre-game mix for the Super Bowl to be held in New Orleans.

TASTY QUIP: “We’ve been in the business long enough to know that when folks go, ‘It’s just an honor to be nominated.’ No, it ain’t. It’s an honor to win. You get nominated and folks go, ‘Yeah I remember that.’ Or most people forget. Generally, it’s a contest you didn’t volunteer to be in. I didn’t go in there, so I could flex. ‘Let me do my scene, so you can remember who I was.’ They nominate you and people go, ‘What is that movie you’re nominated for? What’s the name of that thing?’ And after it’s over and people have a hard time remembering who even won.” – SAMUEL L. JACKSON to the Associated Press

TC ON TV: Dec. 6 – “Evolve and Flex” (TruTV): A weekly look into celebrities’ personal growth and fashion evolution kicks off with a profile on Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown. “Today” (NBC): Leon Bridges

Dec. 7 – “Once Upon a Christmas Wish” (GAF): Starring Mario Lopez, his wife Courtney Lopez (“A Chorus Line”), and their son Dominic Lopez. “A Very Merry Beauty Salon” (Lifetime): Tia Mowry is the executive producer and star of this one, co-starring RonReaco Lee, Donna Biscoe, and Cocoa Brown. “A Season To Remember” (OWN): Roger Bobb is the director of this romantic comedy about a sports reporter and photographer. “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Paul Mescal (“Gladiator II”), Shaboozey.

Dec. 8 – “The Equalizer” (CBS): In this special holiday episode, McCall (Queen Latifah) finds herself isolated with her budding boo, Dante (Tory Kittles) and ex-husband, Miles (Stephen Bishop).

Dec. 9 – “The Real Full Monty” (Fox): In the all-new two-hour special, Anthony Anderson rallies a cast of male celebrities, including himself, Taye Diggs, Chris Jones, Tyler Posey, Bruno Tonioli, and James Van Der Beek to encourage men to get checked and strip the stigma around prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer.

Dec. 10 – “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened” (Netflix): Foxx returns to the stage to set the record straight on his debilitating illness last year. “Lego Masters Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular” (Fox): Holly Robinson Peete and Lil Rel Howery join the two-night competition as guest builders. “Black Comedy in America” (Vice): “Kevin Hart”

Dec. 11 – “Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World” (Netflix): A teen with autism unlocks a joyous world of self-expression as she shares her voice using a letter board in this short documentary for the first time. “A Motown Christmas” (NBC/Peacock): Hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, the special will feature Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the Temptations, Jamie Foxx, Bebe Winans, Jordin Sparks, Andra Day, Ashanti, October London, Pentatonix, and the Broadway company of “MJ the Musical,” with an 11-piece band led by Rickey Minor.

Dec. 12 – “Too Many Christmases” (BET+): With Jackée Harry, Michael Colyer and Adele Givens. “No Good Deed” (Netflix): In this dramedy, Emmy winners Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano lead a star-packed cast, including Teyonah Parris, Anna Maria Horsford, and O-T Fagbenle. “Billboard Music Awards 2024” (Fox): Hosted by Michelle Buteau. “Bookie” (MAX): A second season of the darkly funny series about an L.A. bookie (Sebastian Maniscalco) and his best friend/enforcer (Omar J. Dorsey).

END QUOTE:Look, I live in L.A., ultimately, but I definitely want to have a life that says that I’m a citizen of the world, and I hope to have enough success to have the ability to move around the world as freely as possible. The perspective that you gain, the knowledge that you gain, the empathy and compassion that you gain from leaving your home country or your resident country is invaluable.” – JODIE TURNER-SMITH (“The Agency”) to the Hollywood Reporter

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, Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.

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2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring Review — Is This $136K EV Sedan Worth It?

AUTONETWORK ON BLACKPRESSUSA — Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, but it still feels elegant instead of trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

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The 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring is the kind of luxury EV that makes people stop and ask a simple question: Is this really better than a Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQS, or BMW i7? At $136,150, it has to do more than look futuristic. It has to feel special every time you get in it.

Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, yet it still feels elegant rather than trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Inside is where the Air Grand Touring really makes its case. The 34-inch Glass Cockpit Display and retractable Pilot Panel screen give the cabin a clean, modern look that still feels different from other EVs. The Tahoe Extended Leather and Lucid Black Alcantara headliner lifts the sense of occasion, and the front seats are a highlight. They are 20-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and include massage. That matters because luxury buyers at this price expect comfort first.

Rear passengers are not ignored either. You get 5-zone heated rear seating, a rear center console display, and power rear and rear side window sunshades. Add in the Surreal Sound Pro system with 21 speakers, and the Air feels like a true long-distance luxury sedan.

Lucid also gives this car serious EV hardware. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, 900V+ charging architecture, and Wunderbox onboard charger are big talking points. Buyers in this segment care about range, charging speed, and everyday ease, not just raw performance. That is where the Lucid continues to stand out.

On the technology side, the Air Grand Touring includes DreamDrive Premium, with 3D Surround View Monitoring, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park In and Out, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Driver Monitoring System with distracted and drowsy driver alerts. This one also has DreamDrive Pro, which adds future-capable ADAS hardware.

There are still some real-world annoyances. Based on your notes, the windshield wiper control is hard to find and use, and that matters more than people think in a high-tech car. When controls become less intuitive, even a beautiful interior can feel frustrating.

Still, the 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring succeeds where it matters most. It feels luxurious, advanced, comfortable, and thoughtfully engineered. For buyers who want an EV sedan that feels truly premium and less common than the usual choices, this Lucid makes a very strong case.


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Snoop Dogg Celebrates 10 Til’ Midnight at the Compound

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles.

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Snoop Dogg celebrated the premiere of 10 Til’ Midnight at his Inglewood recording studio & multipurpose facility, The Compound, but the night felt like much more than an album release. It felt like Los Angeles. It felt like legacy. And it felt like another major move from one of the city’s greatest cultural architects as he continues to prove that he is not just dropping music — he is building moments, shaping narratives, and pushing the culture forward in real time.

What made the event so powerful was the clarity behind the vision. During a panel conversation with DJ Hed, Snoop opened up about the heart behind 10 Til’ Midnight, explaining that the project was created to help bridge older and younger generations while also speaking to the long-standing divisions between Bloods and Crips in a unique way through film. That alone gave the project a different kind of weight. This was not just about songs. This was about using creativity as a tool for connection. This was about taking a story rooted in Los Angeles and telling it in a way that could bring people together.

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles. The film was shot in the city, including at WePlay Studios in Inglewood, which gave the entire project an even deeper hometown feel. It was not just a West Coast story in content — it was a Los Angeles-made production from the ground up.

That matters because, in a city like this, authenticity still carries weight. Snoop understands how to make sure that what he creates does not just represent Los Angeles on the surface, but actually comes from it.

What also makes 10 Til’ Midnight significant is that it represents another major step in Snoop’s evolution as both an artist and executive. Public reporting around the project identifies it as his 22nd studio album, but the bigger story is what it represents in this season of his life. This is one of several consecutive moves he has made in his 50s that show he is still building, still expanding, and still finding new ways to reinvent what the next chapter looks like.

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Now, as the head of Death Row Records and the newly aligned leader of Death Row Pictures, he is taking the brand into a new dimension. That is what made this moment feel bigger than music. Snoop is not just protecting the legacy of Death Row — he is stretching it. He is expanding it beyond records and into film, visual storytelling, and larger creative worlds that can continue carrying the label’s impact forward. Public reporting has noted that this project arrives as part of that broader cinematic push.

That is a major Los Angeles move because the city has always been built on the intersection of music, film, neighborhood identity, and cultural storytelling. With 10 Til’ Midnight, Snoop is leaning all the way into that intersection.

The room at The Compound reflected that. It felt like a private premiere, but it also felt like a statement — a reminder that Snoop Dogg’s staying power has never been based only on nostalgia. It comes from his ability to remain connected, remain visionary, and remain in tune with how to move the culture without losing the essence of who he is.

That is why this premiere mattered. It was not just about celebrating another album. It was about witnessing a Los Angeles legend continue to evolve, continue to unify, and continue to use art to tell stories that hit deeper than entertainment alone.

In that sense, 10 Til’ Midnight became more than a project launch. It became another example of how Snoop Dogg is still taking Los Angeles to the next level — using music, film, and legacy together to build something bigger than a moment.

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OP-ED: Small Businesses Need Minnesota to Act on Pass-Through Tax Policy

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN RECORDER — A Twin Cities immigrant entrepreneur who built several businesses including grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to extend the Pass-Through Entity tax option before it expires, warning that its loss would hit small businesses already recovering from Operation Metro Surge with higher federal tax bills.

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A Twin Cities Small Business Owner Is Urging Minnesota to Extend a Tax Policy That Could Save Thousands of Businesses

By Daniel Hernandez | Minnesota Spokesman Recorder

I came to the United States as a teenager with a clear goal: to build something meaningful through hard work. I put in long days in construction, restaurants, and landscaping; doing whatever it took to learn, save, and eventually start my own business.

Over time, I built and ran several successful ventures, including an event photography company, a magazine, a tax and accounting firm, and now grocery stores serving neighborhoods across the Twin Cities where other retailers chose not to invest. I’ve created jobs, supported families, and committed to communities that deserve stability and opportunity.

That’s why I’m speaking out now.

Small business owners in Minneapolis and the communities we serve are recovering from serious disruptions, including the impacts of Operation Metro Surge. That event hit immigrant communities especially hard. In my own case, I lost nearly half of my 60 employees and saw revenue drop by about 85%. While I worked to provide competitive wages, health benefits, and paid time off, the real hardship fell on the people who lost their jobs and income.

Even as we rebuild, small businesses are facing another challenge. The Minnesota Legislature is considering letting an important tax policy expire: the Pass-Through Entity tax option.

Here’s what that means in plain terms.

Many small businesses, including mine, are pass-through businesses. That means the business itself doesn’t pay income tax. Instead, the owners report the income on their personal tax returns. But under current federal rules, there’s a limit on how much state tax we can deduct. That often leads to higher federal tax bills.

The Pass-Through Entity option fixes that. It allows the business to pay the state tax directly, which means the business can fully deduct those taxes on its federal return and lower the total amount of income taxed federally. The result is straightforward: small business owners pay less in federal taxes, without reducing what the state collects.

This policy is not new or controversial. Thirty-six states already offer it. It doesn’t cost Minnesota anything, it’s revenue neutral. And it benefits more than 66,000 businesses across the state.

In a state where the cost of doing business is already high, it’s hard to understand why we wouldn’t offer the same basic tax treatment as states like California and Illinois.

Small businesses have carried a heavy load in recent years, through a pandemic, rising costs and public safety disruptions. We’ve adapted, reinvested and stayed committed to our communities. What we need now are practical policies that support that work, not make it harder.

If the Minnesota House does not act soon, many businesses will face significantly higher federal tax bills. That’s money that could otherwise be used to hire workers, raise wages or reinvest in local neighborhoods.

I urge Gov. Tim Walz and members of the House Tax Committee to pass House File 3127 and extend the Pass-Through Entity election.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We’ve proven our resilience. Now we need our state leaders to show the same commitment to us.

Daniel Hernandez is the owner of Colonial Market located at 2100 E. Lake St.

 

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