Pharrell made a powerful statement during his Grammys performance Sunday night, slipping in a subtle reference to the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown.
During a piano break of "Happy" by Lang Lang, dancers wearing black hoodies -- a call out to what Trayvon Martin was wearing when shot by George Zimmerman in 2012 -- raised their arms, making the "Hands up, don't shoot" protest gesture that was spurred from the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Pharrell has not yet confirmed the tribute, but the gesture has launched several conversations on social media.
Shout out the hands up don't shoot dedication @Pharrell did during that performance and that live prayer to god. Amen.— GOD COMPLEX (@mrivorysnow) February 9, 2015
I like the subliminal message behind pharrell's performance. "Hands up don't shoot" & all back up dancers wearing hoodies for trayvon. Kudos— OG (@BadboyMbads) February 9, 2015
I really appreciate @Pharrell for bringing in stark reality with his Hands Up, Don't Shoot and hoodies performance. #Grammys2015— Andrea Garcia-Vargas (@AndreaGarVar) February 9, 2015