Pharrell performs song from new album ‘Freedom’ during Emanuel AME service

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The outpouring of love and support for Emanuel AME Church continued Sunday morning as international music star Pharrell Williams joined the gospel choir to pay his respects and lead morning worship with a special song.

“Your first name is Free, last name is Dom, because you still believe in where we’re from,” Williams sang. “The sun, and yes, man are made of the same things.”

Williams performed his hit single “Freedom” for the congregation while in Charleston for an in-progress A&E Networks program on race relations. The performance and conversations are intended to bring forth a national discussion on race equality and stopping racially motivated violence.

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According to A&E, the June 17 shooting at the church that left nine members dead and a 21-year-old white man in jail charged with dozens of federal hate crimes motivated the appearance in Charleston for the program.

“He sang a song about freedom and inclusiveness, and that‘s the message that we should take around the world,” said Rev. Norvel Goff, who is serving as interim pastor since Rev. Clementa Pinckney was among those killed in the June 17 mass shooting.

As Williams got louder, so did the chorus behind him, chanting “Freedom!” over and over again.

Williams’ keyboard player Junius Bervine was one of many who helped accompany Williams for the service.

“It was a perfect song for this event. Everything that’s going on. So it was a great experience,” Bervine said.