Will Smith, Michael Jackson Estate, Victoria Monét Honor Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones’ countless friends, fans, and peers have started sharing tributes to the legendary musician and producer following his death on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the age of 91.
On Instagram, the estate of Michael Jackson called Jones “a legendary talent whose contributions to music spanned generations and genres,” and celebrating his “unmatched” collaborations with Jackson, from their hit albums to the seminal charity single, “We Are the World.”
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“But it was Quincy’s role as a father that was the most important to him,” the Jackson estate added. “Condolences to all of his children. Rest in Peace, Q. You will be missed.”
Ice-T, who won his first Grammy after contributing to Jones’ 1989 song “Back on the Block,” wrote on Twitter, “I woke up today to the Terrible news that we lost Quincy Jones. Genius is a description loosely used but Rarely deserved. Point blank, Quincy was the MAN… I live with his Wisdom daily. My condolences go out to his family who I had the honor of meeting. This one Hit me. God bless you KING.”
Michael McDonald, who sang with James Ingram on the Jones-produced “Yah Mo B There,” told Rolling Stone: “Quincy Jones has left an artistic legacy and a Giant’s footprint on American music! I’m immensely grateful for his guidance and mentorship over the years as are so many other artists who were fortunate enough to work with him.”
Will Smith called Jones the “true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend.” Jones was an executive producer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (and composed the hit show’s music), and Smith celebrated his influence, saying: “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.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea mentioned Jones’ achievements as a trumpeter and arranger, who played “with the greats of his era,” then went on to helm clasics like Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Off the Wall. He transcended category, snobbery and all ignorant philistine corporate bull shit with the sheer power of knowledge and music,” Flea said. “He touched us all. Quincy forever.”
Victoria Monét called Jones “one of my biggest inspirations,” adding, “Your legacy will live forever and ever. Heaven definitely got an upgrade with you.” LL Cool J — who once dated Jones’ daughter, the actress and model Kidada — celebrated Jones as a “mentor,” “role model,” and “a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example.”
The rapper continued: “You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you. My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally.”
Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine — who was born on the same day as Jones, March 14, 1933 — honored his “celestial twin” as “a titan in the musical world.” Caine added: “He was a wonderful man and unique human being, lucky to have known him.” (Jones also scored the 1969 Caine-starring heist film, The Italian Job.)
Another actor, Colman Domingo, remembered meeting Jones and the producer asking him where hew as from: “Philly I replied, his eyes twinkled and he talked about the Uptown Theater. I was so thrilled to meet Mr. American Music himself. I literally kneeled because he was a King. Thank you Mr. Quincy Jones for giving us all the sound.”
Domingo, who starred in the 2023 remake of The Color People — which Jones produced after scoring Steven Spielberg’s 1985 original — also said he hoped everyone spend the day playing Jones’ music to “send this genius King off… Why? Because there would be no American Music without this great man.”
Other tributes came in from Nile Rodgers, who bestowed upon Jones a several honorific hashtags — “leader, teacher, spirit, pioneer” — and producer Flying Lotus, who wrote of Jones, “He was absolutely the template.”
Elsewhere, playwright Jeremy O. Harris celebrated Jones’ versatility and “limitless” contributions to American culture. “Quincy Jones, literally born when the limits on how big a black boy could dream were unfathomably high, taught us that the limit does not exist,” he wrote, adding: First black person nominated for an Oscar for best score. First black person nominated later twice in the same year. The producer of inarguably the biggest albums of the 20th century. An EGOT. Father to some of pretty incredibly talented children as well and godfather to musicians around the world.”
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