Justin Timberlake Joins Pharrell Williams for Heartfelt Tribute at Black Music Honors Amid Lighthearted Jokes

Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake in January 2026 in Los Angeles.
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NEED TO KNOW

• Justin Timberlake made a surprise appearance at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Honors event to pay tribute to Pharrell Williams.
• At the Los Angeles event on January 29, Williams accepted the Dr. Dre Impact Award and expressed gratitude towards Timberlake.
• The two artists have maintained a close friendship and musical collaboration for over twenty years.

Justin Timberlake honored Pharrell Williams at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective event on January 29 in Los Angeles. Timberlake’s surprise appearance marked a celebration of their longstanding friendship and collaboration.

During the event, Williams, 52, received the Dr. Dre Impact Award, which recognizes “not only his musical achievements but also his entrepreneurial innovation, philanthropic efforts and far-reaching cultural influence worldwide,” according to the Recording Academy.

Before presenting the award, Timberlake, 44, captivated the audience with a 15-minute medley of their greatest hits, including “Rock Your Body” and “Señorita.”

Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake in 2017.

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The medley also included notable tracks like “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)” from his collaborations with Jay-Z, “Beautiful” featuring Snoop Dogg, and the 2013 hit “Happy.” Performances from Clipse and Leon Thomas further enhanced the tribute.

As he presented the Dr. Dre Impact Award, Timberlake reflected on Williams’ influence, stating, “No, no, no, you’re good. You’re good. Anybody that’s come in contact or been in the same frequency with Pharrell Williams is changed forever.”

Timberlake went on to describe Williams as a significant figure in his life, calling him his “big brother” and expressing deep gratitude for the impact Williams has had on his career and personal growth.

“You changed my life. You changed my life. And I will forever, forever be grateful,” Timberlake said, encouraging the audience to acknowledge Williams’ inspirational role.

Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake in 2003 in Las Vegas.

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When accepting the Dr. Dre Impact Award, Williams thanked Timberlake, acknowledging his performance and reminding the community of their longstanding bond.

“You showed your ass tonight! You reminded this community how you love us so much and what we mean to you,” he said, playfully inviting Timberlake to join him in Paris for future endeavors.

For over two decades, Williams and Timberlake’s friendship and musical collaboration have thrived. Their partnership has produced iconic tracks, with The Neptunes, the production duo featuring Williams and Chad Hugo, contributing significantly to Timberlake’s 2002 album, *Justified*, along with earlier works with *NSYNC.