Pharrell Williams may be "Happy", but he's also willing to get political.
The peppy artist, who won a Grammy Sunday night for Best Pop Solo Performance for the hit song, incorporated "Hands Up, Don't Shoot", a widely-recognized tribute to black teens Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, into his number.
Williams' Grammys rendition started out darker than usual, with him stepping out onto the stage alone in a concierge's uniform reminiscent of Ralph Fiennes' in the "Grand Budapest Hotel".
His backup dancers, who soon joined him, wore black hoodies, most likely a nod to Martin's clothing when he was shot and killed in February 2012.
They then raised their hands in the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" motion.
Several witnesses at the scene of Brown's August 2014 shooting reported that the teen had his hands up when he was shot by white police officer Darren Wilson.
Pharrell wasn't the only artist to pay tribute to Martin and Brown. Beyonce also added the motion to her performance, AFP reports, before turning the stage over to rapper Common, who sang about the racial tensions in Ferguson, Miss., where Brown was killed, in his and John Legend's "Glory".
Prince also spoke out before announcing the Album of The Year winner.
We're grateful that the performers were brave enough to take a stance during what is usually such a light-hearted event.
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