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Justin Timberlake Performs Surprise Music Tribute to Pharrell Williams at Recording Academy Honors

Pharell called for grace, empathy and mercy from the nation's leaders as he accepted his award at the Grammy event, where he was honored alongside Brandy and Kirk Franklin.

An impressive lineup of entertainers performed tributes to Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles Thursday night, where the artists were celebrated at the Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective.

Among them was Justin Timberlake, who closed out the tribute to Williams at the end of the night, following an introduction by Tyler, The Creator and performances by The Clipse and Leon Thomas. Barely a seat was left occupied as Timberlake performed a medley of his and the producer’s hits, from “Senorita,” “Rock your Body” and “Like I Love You” to N.O.R.E’s “Nothin,'” Mistikal’s “Shake it Fast,” Snoop Dogg’s “Beautiful” and Jay Z’s “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me),” closing out with Daft Punk’s “Lucky.”

We Were In The Room For The Recording Academy Honors As Pharrell, Brandy, And Kirk Franklin Were Honored

After taking a year off due to the devastating fires in Los Angeles, The Black Music Collective’s Recording Academy Honors event returned to form for its 4th annual ceremony.

In a night full of surprises and stars, rapper and author Eve was awarded a retroactive Grammy for her initially uncredited contributions to The Roots’ classic, “You Got Me,” which won the Grammy for Best Rap performance by a Duo or Group in 2000. Twenty-six years later, the Recording Academy has righted the wrong, and Eve beamed with pride and gratitude as she officially became a two-time Grammy winner.

Eve’s words about life’s timing seemed to echo throughout the night as honorees Kirk Franklin, Brandy, and Pharrell Williams received their awards. Black Music Collective co-chair Torae asked ESSENCE, “If we don’t celebrate us, who will?”

Pharrell calls for empathy from US leaders after being honored at Black Music Collective event

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — At a pre-Grammy event celebrating Black music’s cultural power, Pharrell Williams used the Recording Academy stage to deliver a prayer — not for himself, but for U.S. leaders.

“I want to pray for the leaders of this nation and the powers that be,” Williams said Thursday night at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective event in Los Angeles, where he received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.

“I’m praying that they find it in their hearts some empathy, some grace and, most importantly, some mercy for these people who may not have been born in this country, but love it just as much," he said.

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