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The music icon apparently didn't meet "notice requirements" within the grace period given by the mayor.
Pharrell Williams’ annual Something in the Water Festival has reportedly been terminated in Virginia Beach—his hometown and where the festival first kicked off. According to Virginia Beach officials, the sandy event will no longer take place in the city due to Williams and his team not meeting the “cure notice requirements” within a five-day deadline to secure the festival.
“While the city values the positive impact and visibility the Something In The Water Festival has had on Virginia Beach in years’ past, regretfully organizers did not meet the cure notice requirements in terms of next steps, SITW team will receive an official termination notice from the City,” a statement read from the City of VA Beach’s official X account.
It also noted that “alternative plans” would be made for the weekend of April 26-27—the original date that SITW would have taken place.
Williams has yet to speak out regarding the festival’s termination.
The N.E.R.D. vet’s vision for Something In The Water was more than just a music festival; it was a homecoming—a cultural celebration rooted in his birthplace of Virginia Beach. Launched in 2019, its inaugural installment was met with positive feedback, gravitating attendees from all over to attend each year.
As the festival’s momentum was undeniable and built more and more anticipation each year—it was halted due to multiple circumstances including the 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 pandemic and the death of his cousin Donovon Lynch—who was fatally shot in VA Beach. The aftermath saw Lynch’s family filing a $50,000,000 lawsuit against the city, an event that impacted the 51-year-old’s decision to relocate the festival to D.C.
“I wish the same energy I’ve felt from Virginia Beach leadership upon losing the festival would have been similarly channeled following the loss of my relative’s life,” he disappointingly stated at the time.
Following the incident, the “Cash In Cash Out” artist described Virginia Beach’s energy as “toxic” and called for a federal investigation into Lynch’s death. At the time, Pharrell told USA Today, “Where our solutions are not necessarily wanted, we respect that and will take it to a higher platform. We are all human beings, after all.” The officer was convicted with proven probable cause.
In late 2022, however, the festival and Williams found its way back home with Usher, T.I. and more taking the stage. The following year, the festival came back stronger with Clipse, Coi Leray, Doechii, Jazmine Sullivan, Kid Cudi, Latto, Wale, Summer Walker, Lil Durk, Lil Uzi Vert and a slew of Pharrell’s Phriends including Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Wayne, Lil Yachty, A$AP Rocky, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul, M.I.A. and many more.
Arguably, the inaugural year was the festival’s best as it saw VA’s finest hit the stage including Chris Brown, Missy Elliott, Timbaland and Pharrell himself. Special guests also included Jay-Z, Diddy, Travis $cott, Charlie Wilson and Snoop Dogg.
As a 2025 festival has yet to be announced, fans can expect to travel elsewhere than Virginia if Williams can’t turn this around. Until then, Something In The Water will remain on the To-Do list for many fans.
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