Pharrell’s ‘Something in the Water’ Festival Has Potential… But Needs Work - Okayplayer

Cole’s Dreamville, Travis Scott’s Astroworld, and JAY-Z’s Made in America, Pharrell’s Something in the Water Festival is one of the many celebrity-branded music fests that have popped up over the last ten years.

After a solid first year — which included acts such as Missy Elliott, SZA, Gunna, and a Pharrell and Friends set featuring JAY-Z and Chris Brown — the second iteration of this festival was met with a few setbacks.

Allegedly, Pharrell was unsatisfied with the investigation and he decided to move the festival to D.C.

Anderson’s set conflicted with Usher’s, who performed hits like “You Make Me Wanna” and “Yeah!” While his show was exciting, and left the crowd feeling energized, Usher and Anderson should have been given the proper time needed so they could run the best of their discographies.

and the Clipse performing “What Happened to That Boy” and “Grindin'”alongside Pharrell.

N.O.R.E’s intro by Pharrell to “go back to the beginning, where it all started” engaged the audience in a roaring chant as The Neptunes’ iconic four-count ushered in the hits “Superthug” and “Nothin’.” P took us through a brief musical journey of hits that included Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Signs” and the classic “Frontin'” that nearly left a hard-core Neptunes lover like me in tears.

It was Baby Tate and Tyler, the Creator who was front row for his set, and Tyler who nearly jumped on stage in amazement at Pharrell performing the In My mind classic “That Girl.” The feelings of why we attended were summed up perfectly by Tyler in his set on Sunday night which closed out the festival

For a man who has predicted the changes in music and assisted in its evolution of it, one can only hope that with time and through experience, Pharrell and the organizers can learn, adjust and implement changes as festival culture evolves