Pharrell Recruits Grace Jones, Clipse, De La Soul & More for Something in the Water 2023
Grace Jones, Lil Wayne, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Wu-Tang Clan, Kehlani, Summer Walker, and Lil Uzi Vert are among the acts slated to perform at this year's Something in the Water festival in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
After location changes and settling the conflict with his hometown of Virginia Beach, Pharrell Williams is bringing Something In The Waterback home.
Taking place from April 28th-April 30th, the line-up includes iconic acts such as Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers and Chic, SWV, Lil Wayne and Wu-Tang Clan as well as R&B and hip-hop stars like Jazmine Sullivan, Summer Walker, Lil Durk, Kehlani, Flo Milli, and Doechii. The varied compilation of artists almost wholly differs from the hectic and overwhelming line-up from last year’s festival in Washington, D.C.
Producer/DJ Kaytranada, Masego, and rapper Lil Uzi Vert are the only repeat acts from previous years from the first two billings in 2019 and 2022 respectively.
Aside from the lengthy bill, "Pharrell's Phriends" are listed as a principal performers that weekend; the full lineup of "Pharrell's Phriends" hasn't been listed yet, but De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, MIA, and A$AP Rocky are confirmed to be there. In the past, surprises have included Justin Timberlake, JAY-Z, and N.O.R.E. With this year’s line-up including the Clipse as performers and with The Neptunes Present…With the Clones turning 20 this year, one can only imagine the superstars joining Pharrell during his anticipated set.
The first Something in the Water music festival took place in Virginia Beach in 2019. However, for the second edition of the fest, Pharrell moved the event to Washington D.C. after Williams criticized Virginia Beach Police Department and government officials over how they handled the shooting death of his cousin, Donovon Lynch. Recently, the city of Virginia Beach reached a $3 million settlement with Lynch’s family.
As with previous years, the week leading up to Something in the Water will consist of several panels and events such as the Pop Up Church service and details of other free events for the community at Mount Trashmore that will be announced soon. In a change from previous years though, Something in the Water now has a presenting sponsor in Walmart.
You can find all relevant info here.
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This story was updated on April 12th.