The late Quincy Jones obtained a candy tribute from Queen Latifah on the 2025 Academy Awards.
The enduring report producer, who died in November 2024 at age 91, was among the many 2024 honorees on the Academy of Movement Image Arts & Sciences’ Governors Awards ceremony, which passed off in November simply days after Jones’ loss of life. The Academy introduced Jones would obtain an honorary Oscar in June 2024 to acknowledge his contribution to movie via his music.
Paying homage to their Colour Purple producer onstage on the Oscar ceremony had been that 1985 film’s stars, Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. Latifah, 54, then delivered a rousing rendition of Charlie Smalls’ music “Ease on Down the Highway” from the musical The Wiz in honor of Jones, who produced the music within the 1987 movie starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
The high-energy quantity, that includes Latifah in a lavish gold gown and several other backup dancers and singers, introduced the viewers to their toes. Cynthia Erivo, Colman Domingo and extra within the viewers had been seen dancing alongside to the music.
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Final month, Jones additionally obtained a tribute on the 2025 Grammys. Erivo and Herbie Hancock took the stage first to honor the late music legend, in addition to the wildfires in Los Angeles. A star-studded record of artists, together with Erivo, Hancock, Stevie Marvel, Janelle Monáe, Lainey Wilson, and Jacob Collier, paid tribute to the legendary musician and the enduring “spirit” of L.A.
Earlier than the musicians coated their variations of Jones’ celebrated songs, Will Smith launched the tribute and stated, “A superb 28-time Grammy Award-winning producer, arranger, movie, tv composer, conductor, trumpet participant, recording artist and humanitarian. In his 91 years, Q touched numerous lives. He modified mine eternally.”
“Quincy labored with so many music greats throughout a number of genres,” Smith continued. “Bringing the perfect out in legends from brother Ray Charles to Ella Fitzgerald, Rely Basie to Aretha Franklin, simply title a couple of.” Smith additionally famous that Jones started his profession in jazz, which finally introduced him to collaborate with Frank Sinatra. Smith then launched Ervio and Hancock to cowl the 1964 hit, “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Erivo took on a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s traditional earlier than the orchestra joined in, whereas Wilson and Collier collaborated on a rustic twist on Jones’ 1995 music “Let the Good Occasions Roll.”
As that tribute continued, Hancock joined Marvel for a mashup of “Bluesette,” earlier than transitioning into the music “We Are the World.”
“You see the individuals there that day, Quincy instructed us to maintain our egos out and on the door. And we’re nonetheless the world. And I say to you: We’re nonetheless the youngsters, we’re nonetheless the individuals who battle and can die for this nation. So we undoubtedly have to have the ability to have fun one another,” Marvel stated.
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Monáe concluded the tribute with a canopy of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Cease Until You Get Sufficient” and embraced the King of Pop’s energetic presence. She paid homage to each Jones and Jackson and channeled the Thriller singer’s signature strikes — together with a formidable moonwalk. “We love you, Quincy!” she shouted.
See PEOPLE’s full protection of the 97th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien and airing on ABC.
