Pharrell's All-Star Game perf

FRONTIN’ & BALLIN': Pharrell Williams got a big look last night at the beginning of TNT’s NBA All-Star Game telecast from the Smoothie King Center in NOLA, as crotch grabbing went mainstream. LeBron James promised that Pharrell would go through his “biggest hits” in his intro, and sure enough, the former N.E.R.D. frontman and Neptunes principal complied, busting out a nearly 20-minute medley that moved from “Frontin’,” “Beautiful” and “Pass the Courvoisier Part II” to “Blurred Lines,” “Get Lucky” and “Happy.” Playing the role of emcee with charm and ebullience, Pharrell brought out special guests Nelly (for a surprisingly extended “Hot in Herre”), Busta Rhymes, P. Diddy, Snoop Dogg and former N.E.R.D./Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, the whole thing an elaborate setup for the introduction of the East and West All-Star teams. Once that business was taken care of, it was time for the national anthems. Drake was shown holding his hand over his heart during Serena Ryder’s rendition of “O Canada,” before Gary Clarke Jr. changed things up radically with a Hendrix-y solo guitar take on “The Star Spangled Banner.” And that’s not all, folks. Trombone Shorty and his band Orleans Avenue hosted a terrific New Orleans-themed halftime show that brought together Dr. John, Clarke, Janelle Monae and Earth, Wind & Fire. There was also a basketball game, of sorts. (2/17a)