Pharrell Williams’ Grammy Performance Includes ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ Gesture

Pharrell Williams took the stage at Sunday night’s Grammy awards to perform a group rendition of his single “Happy,” which seemingly included a tribute to the #blacklivesmatter movement, via the “Hands up, don’t shoot” protest mantra.

Shortly after taking home the award for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Happy,” Williams and a full ensemble performed the single.

About midway through the song, during a piano solo, backup dancers sporting black hoodies and blue jeans threw their hands up in the air alongside the artist.

At around the 2:00 mark in the video below, you can see the expression:

Williams also took home the awards for Best Music Video for “Happy” as well as Best Urban Contemporary Album for “Girl.”