The 2025 Grammy Awards featured an emotional tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones, who passed away in November at the age of 91. The tribute included performances by Herbie Hancock, Janelle Monáe, Stevie Wonder, and more, highlighting Jones' immense impact on the music industry. Will Smith opened the segment, emphasizing Jones' influence on his career. The tribute celebrated Jones' contributions across jazz, pop, and humanitarian efforts, with a finale led by Monáe performing Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough."
The 2025 Grammy Awards paid homage to the late Quincy Jones, a towering figure in the music industry, who passed away in November at the age of 91. The tribute, held at the Crypto.com Arena, featured a star-studded lineup of performers including Herbie Hancock, Janelle Monáe, and Stevie Wonder. Will Smith, who introduced the segment, highlighted Jones' profound influence on his career and the music world at large. The tribute celebrated Jones' legacy through a medley of performances that spanned his diverse career as a producer, composer, and humanitarian.
The Grammy tribute to Quincy Jones was a testament to his monumental impact on the music industry. Known for his work across multiple genres, Jones' legacy was celebrated through performances by some of the biggest names in music. Herbie Hancock opened the tribute with a rendition of Jones' classic 'Killer Joe,' followed by Cynthia Erivo's powerful performance of 'Fly Me to the Moon,' a song famously arranged by Jones for Frank Sinatra. The medley continued with Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier performing 'Let the Good Times Roll,' and Stevie Wonder joining Hancock for 'Bluesette.' The tribute culminated with a singalong of 'We Are the World,' a charity single produced by Jones 40 years ago [1] [2].
Will Smith, who made his return to a major televised awards show, delivered an emotional introduction to the Quincy Jones tribute. Smith credited Jones with significantly shaping his career, stating, 'You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones.' Smith shared personal anecdotes, including Jones' advice on taking responsibility for his crew during the early days of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.' Smith's heartfelt words underscored Jones' role as a mentor and father figure to many in the industry [3] [4].
The tribute to Quincy Jones concluded with a high-energy performance by Janelle Monáe, who paid homage to Jones' collaboration with Michael Jackson. Monáe performed 'Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough,' complete with Jackson's iconic dance moves, including the moonwalk. Her performance was a fitting tribute to Jones' influence on pop music, and she expressed her admiration by revealing an 'I (Heart) QJ' tank top. Monáe's dynamic performance brought the audience to their feet, celebrating Jones' legacy and his contributions to some of the most memorable music of the 20th century [5].
The 2025 Grammy tribute to Quincy Jones was a powerful reminder of his enduring legacy in the music industry. Through a series of heartfelt performances, the tribute celebrated Jones' contributions to jazz, pop, and humanitarian efforts. Will Smith's emotional introduction highlighted Jones' influence as a mentor, while Janelle Monáe's finale paid homage to his work with Michael Jackson. The tribute not only honored Jones' remarkable career but also inspired a new generation of artists to carry forward his legacy of excellence and innovation in music.
"You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones." - Will Smith
"Quincy made so many music greats across multiple genres sound even greater." - Will Smith
"Quincy was always there to help." - Stevie Wonder