Will Smith leads Quincy Jones tribute at Grammys 2025
Share and Follow

Gettin’ Quincy wit it.

During the 2025 Grammys, Will Smith paid homage to the legendary Quincy Jones by leading a tribute segment. The star proceeded to announce engaging musical performances by renowned artists such as Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, and Lainey Wilson.

A four-time Grammy winner himself, Smith was a fitting choice to honor Jones, who passed away in November at the age of 91. In addition to being one of the all-time music greats — with 28 Grammy wins to his name — Jones was a prominent figure in film and TV. Among his producing credits: “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the ’90s sitcom that rocketed Smith to superstardom.

Calling Jones “one of the most groundbreaking and influential figures of our times,” Smith said, “In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives. But I have to say he changed mine forever. You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones.”

The musical portion of the tribute to Jones, which was made up of songs he helped birth, began with jazz pianist Herbie Hancock playing Jones’ ’60s instrumental track “Killer Joe.” Erivo then joined Hancock to sing a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” which Jones arranged, followed by Lainey Wilson livening up the crowd with “Let the Good Times Roll” before Stevie Wonder brought out his harmonica to perform the jazzy “Bluesette.”

Wonder also took time to share his own reflection on Jones’ legacy before leading a crowd and children’s choir from one school that burned down during the Palisades Fire as they sang “We Are the World,” which Jones produced 40 years ago this year.

“We are still the people who will fight and die for this nation, so we definitely have to be able to celebrate each other’s cultures all the time.”

Monáe capped off the tribute with a rousing take on Michael Jackson’s classic “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough.”

Smith’s involvement in the tribute was announced by The Recording Academy in an Instagram post shared on Friday.

“A GRAMMY moment you don’t want to miss!” the music org captioned the post. “@WillSmith will present the touching tribute celebrating the life and legacy of Quincy Jones at the 67th #GRAMMYs.”

After Jones’ passing last year, Smith paid tribute to the icon in a post on Instagram.

“Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend,” he captioned a black-and-white photo of him with Jones on the set of “The Fresh Prince.”

“He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

Smith’s appearance on the Grammys stage on Sunday night marked the most high-profile award show he has attended after he slapped Chris Rock, 59, at the 2022 Academy Awards over a joke the comedian made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Last June, he performed at the 2024 BET Awards and attended the 2023 African-American Film Critics Association Awards. Smith was originally slated to perform as part of a tribute to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop during the 2023 Grammys but ended up bowing out.

The fourth installment of his “Bad Boys” franchise, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” hit theaters in 2024 and racked up big numbers at the box office.

The Grammys play into another part of Smith’s career rehabilitation: his return to music. The “Independence Day” star plans on releasing three albums in 2025 and hopes to mount a full tour.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
She was terrified of school shootings. Now she's fled America.

From Fear to Flight: Escaping America’s School Shooting Epidemic

An American mom who moved her family to Spain has lifted the lid…
White House issues devastating takedown of 'uninformed Democrats'

White House delivers strong criticism of ‘uninformed Democrats’

The White House is actively responding to accusations from Democrats regarding the…
A Vermont dairy farm was raided. The mixed messages from Washington since then have increased fears

Confusion and Concern Rise After Raid on Vermont Dairy Farm

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — After six 12-hour shifts milking cows, José Molina-Aguilar’s…
Australian woman convicted on all counts in mushroom murders case

Australian Woman Found Guilty in Mushroom Murders Trial

SYDNEY — An Australian woman on Monday was convicted of murdering three…
Cops reveal chilling new details on Sophia Hutchins’ fatal ATV crash as pal Caitlyn Jenner speaks out

New Information Released by Police on Sophia Hutchins’ Tragic ATV Accident While Friend Caitlyn Jenner Shares Thoughts

Cops have released heartbreaking new details about Caitlyn Jenner’s longtime friend and…
Matthew McConaughey breaks silence on deadly Texas floods

Matthew McConaughey speaks out about devastating floods in Texas

Matthew McConaughey broke his silence on the devastating floods that killed dozens…
Chicago shooting: 16-year-old Meeyah Smith killed in Avalon Park worked with 'Englewood First Responders,' friends say; man hurt

Fatal Shooting in Avalon Park Claims Life of 16-Year-Old Meeyah Smith, Who was Involved with ‘Englewood First Responders,’ According to Friends; Another Individual Injured

CHICAGO (WLS) — A 16-year-old girl who was killed in shooting Friday…
Hilliard man recounts springing into action after neighbor on motorcycle hit by 14-year-old ATV driver

A man from Hilliard shares his story of taking quick action when his neighbor on a motorcycle was hit by a 14-year-old ATV driver.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that a man was killed near his…