Pharrell Williams was left fuming and storming off stage during his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix show on Saturday.
The 50-year-old Get Lucky singer headlined the Formula 1 post-race concert alongside Alicia Keys and Martin Garrix.
But Pharrell reportedly cut short his set with 15 minutes left after becoming angry with fans for throwing light-up bracelets on stage at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
He said: ‘This is the liveliest city right now on the planet, but we also have to be the safest.
‘I know you guys are excited and I know you want to throw away your wrist gadgets and lights and all that, but you can’t when the girls are dancing. And me? I love women, how about you?’
Pharrell Williams was left fuming and storming off stage during his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix show on Saturday
Pharrell reportedly cut his set short with 15 minutes to go after getting angry at fans for throwing light-up bracelets onto the stage in Jeddah
‘We have to protect our women, so if you want to shine a light on them, shine them the other way, not on stage. Who understands what I say?’
Despite his warning, the bracelets continued to fly and Pharrell shouted, ‘Let’s take those stupid bracelets and throw them in the air right now when I count to three. And now we’re done.’
Before storming off, he said, ‘OK, I’ll let you all finish’
Prior to this, Pharrell delighted the crowd with performances of his chart-topping hits including Happy and Get Lucky.
It comes after a human rights campaigner blasted Alicia and Pharrell ahead of scheduled performances in Saudi Arabia.
Alicia, 43, also hosted a Women To Women, an initiative in honor of International Women’s Day, in Jeddah.
But the artists have come under fire from human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell over controversial issues about women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.
“Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams should not perform in Saudi Arabia. It is a dictatorship that persecutes women, LGBT people and religious and ethnic minorities,’ he told The Sun.
‘Women are in prison because of the country’s sexist laws. The regime murdered and dismembered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The 50-year-old Get Lucky singer (right) headlined the Formula 1 post-race concert alongside Alicia Keys and Martin Garrix (left)
A human rights campaigner has blasted Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams ahead of scheduled performances in Saudi Arabia; pictured 2019
‘It is total hypocrisy for Saudi Arabia to host Alicia Keys for International Women’s Day when the regime’s prisons advocate for women’s equality. I am appalled that Alicia Keys is collaborating with this whitewashing of Saudi misogyny.’
“No artist should go to Saudi unless they speak out publicly to demand women’s freedom and an end to other human rights abuses in the country, including the release of all political prisoners,” he continued.
International Women’s Day is celebrated this year on March 8, the same day as Alicia’s summit.
It’s the third edition of her Women To Women summit, which is supported by her husband Swizz Beatz’s creative agency Good Intentions in addition to entertainment company MDLBEAST.
The event, as described in a press release, will see Alicia and guests discuss “how women are pushing culture forward in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” according to Revolt.
Alicia said: ‘I’m thrilled to be back on stage, this time in Jeddah, performing somewhere I’ve never performed before and in a way I’ve never done in this region.
‘I’m also so inspired to connect in a meaningful way with the amazing women there to discuss the cultural, creative and cross-border narratives we lead collectively and individually. In light of International Women’s Day, it is the perfect time to discuss important issues that affect us.’
Alicia marked International Women’s Day on Instagram with a heartfelt video message on Instagram.
Alicia showcased her remarkable vocal prowess with versions of hit songs such as Girl On Fire and No One
“Sending lots of love and in recognition of International Women’s Day, like let’s get this right, it’s definitely not a day,” she said. ‘This is everyday, we as women are so powerful, we are so unstoppable, we are so, so special, incredible, we are the stuff of all things, and so just a reminder not to forget how incredible you are, how your thoughts , your ideas, your visions for yourself, they deserve to be recognized, they deserve to be realized.
‘I want you to remove all ideas in your mind that you will not create for yourself the destiny you believe in. I want you to remove it from your vocabulary, the word “can’t” or “can’t” or “won’t”, let’s get rid of it.
‘Let’s think about our ancestors, think about all the women who came before us, how incredible they are, all the movements and what they stood for and stood for and how they made us.
‘And we’re here to do everything we can possibly dream of, and most importantly, we’re here to spread that love energy and to let people know that no matter who you are or where you’re from, you are special, you are important, you deserve to be respected. So go with that queen! Sending much love.’