Quincy Jones 2025 Grammys Tribute Sparks Mixed Reviews
The Quincy Jones tribute at the 2025 Grammys was presented by Will Smith and featured performances from Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Jacob Collier, Lainey Wilson, and Janelle Monáe.
“This past year, we lost one of the most groundbreaking and influential figures of our times — Quincy Jones, know affectionately to his friends as ‘Q,'” said the Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air star. 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.”
He reflected on Jones’ impact on artists across genres including “brother Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie [and] Aretha Franklin.”
Cynthia Erivo kicked off the set and was joined by Herbie Hancock to sing Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon,” which Jones arranged. Wilson and Collier “let the good times roll” before Wonder joined Hancock to perform “Bluesette” on the harmonica and a touching rendition of “We Are The World.“
“Quincy was always there to help,” said Wonder while reflecting on the historic recording. “That day, Quincy told us to keep our egos out and at the door. And we are still the world. And I say to you, we’re still the children. We are still the people who fight and will die for this nation. So we definitely have to be able to celebrate each and each other’s cultures, all the time.”
Smith returned to the stage and spoke on Jones being the executive producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The Oscar winner recalled a moment when Jones asked for him while filming a scene to speak on how he should treat his crew being the star of the show.
“Let me get this straight: You want these people to work 16 or 18 hours a day so you can realize your dreams, and this is the food you think they should eat? […] I don’t care if it’s not in the budget. You pay for it out of your own pocket,” Smith remembered.
He added, “That became the absolute center of how I wanted to have my career, how I wanted to live my life. He looked right in my face, and he said, ‘It is your job to take care of these people,’ and I’ve done everything I can through my career to try to live up to Quincy’s demand. All of Q’s children, and all of us who just loved him like he was our father, know this Quincy Jones always took care of people, and that’s how he fed the world.”
Monáe closed out the tribute. She simultaneously honored Michael Jackson and Jones with her vibrant rendition of “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.” She did the moonwalk before ripping off her suit to reveal an “I Heart QJ” tank top.
The performance did spark mixed reviews among fans. One tweeted, “The #Grammys should’ve done an entire Quincy Jones tribute special. You cannot honor his legacy and the breadth of what he has done with 10 to 15 minutes at most.” Someone else piggy-backed that sentiment: “The truth is a real Quincy Jones tribute should be at least 2 hours long.”
Others questioned its choice in performers. “Where is Tevin Campbell and Tamia for this Quincy Jones tribute?!” another asked.
The full tribute will be available on the Recording Academy’s official YouTube channel in the coming hours.
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