Pharrell Gives Impromptu Warning About America’s Social Climate During VH1’s ‘Hip Hop Honors’

VH1 aired their annual Hip Hop Honors yesterday, paying tribute to the artists and movements that have defined and influenced Hip Hop culture. VH1 switched it up this year. Last year they paid tribute to the ladies of Hip Hop and this year paid homage to the ’90’s Game Changers’ paying homage to that era of Hip Hop, television, and film. Honorees include Martin Lawrence, Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Master P, and director Hype Williams.

One of the more memorable moments from the night came when Pharrell, who took it upon himself to speak to the audience and viewers about the social climate in the United States.

Pharrell implores fans and viewers watching to “open their eyes” and see what’s happening in our society. “If you look like I look, then you know how we got here. But we’re here and we’re not leaving, so what are we gonna do.”

He continued and added: “For everybody else in this country…don’t think because they’re coming at the African-Americans and the Jewish community and the Hispanics that it can’t be you too just because you look like them,” he warns. “You should understand ’they’ can change their minds and it might not be about Black, white, big, skinny or small. It could be about facial features. It might be about hair color. Don’t act like they didn’t do that before.”

“This is where we are right now. Me, Im just a tiny tiny tiny tiny little musician. Like little small tiny musician, but Im African American. African means that’s what in me, American means thats where I am right now. So if this is where I am and this is America, it’s for liberty and justice for all,” Pharrell said.

Watch the entire speech below.