The Biggest Names In The Game On One Stage
Pharrell Williams made it up to his fans in a big way only a day after his cancelled show. He was forced to cancel the first day of his inaugural Something in the Water music festival in his hometown Virginia Beach. The rapper surprised fans Saturday night with guest appearances by his biggest collaborators. Including Jay-Z, Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Charlie Wilson and Tyler, the Creator.
“Pharrell and Friends,” the nearly 2 hour set found Williams dipping into all aspects of his 27-year career. He kicked started the show with N.O.R.E’s “Nothin,” Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and Future’s “Move That Dope”. Next he introduced Snoop Dogg for “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” Snoop stayed onstage for the crowd-friendly “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?)”. And of course they had to perform Wilson for the trio’s 2002 hit “Beautiful.”
Worst Kept Secret
When Williams began “Frontin,” his debut solo single, fans already knew what was about to happen. Jay-Z may have been the festival’s worst-kept secret. Not too long before, rumors and spottings of him surfaced.
The rapper’s appearance recieved one of the biggest applauses of the night. He stayed on for “Public Service Announcement,” “Excuse Me Miss” and “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me).”
Something in the Water is almost an expression of a love letter to the N.E.R.D rapper’s home city and state. It is an organized festival and community event. Even the city council came out to show love. The rapper showed love to his city and presented his protégé Fam-Lay to perform his highly underrated 2003 song “Rock n Roll” for the local crowd. The mood was slightly dampened when Timbaland performed nearly an entire song with a broken mic. An unintentional air of absurdism engulfed the show, as the Virginia rapper mute-rapped to the crowd. Jumping around the stage and gesticulating his arms despite anyone being able to hear him.
