Stevie Wonder, Janelle Monáe, Cynthia Erivo - Stars align to pay tribute to Quincy Jones at the Grammys

The Grammys are where the stars come out and culture truly moves forward. From industry stalwarts to up and coming acts, the musical showcase is a celebration of the art form that is truly unparalleled.

In the spirit of recognizing those who have paved the way, it’s common for shows like this to pay tribute to legends who have come and gone in the spirit of acknowledging their contributions to a standard of excellence few have attained. At this year’s 67th Annual Grammy awards, the stars aligned to pay tribute to Quincy Jones, whose reach truly extended his grasp.

Stevie Wonder, Janelle Monae, and Cynthia Erivo were only a few who participated in the heartwarming tribute, which lasted almost twenty minutes. Also on board were Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier and Lainey Wilson. The tribute itself was presented by Will Smith in his first such appearance since the notorious Oscars slap incident involving comedian Chris Rock.

“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,' 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.”

Then, following Smith’s introduction, Erivo and Hancock kicked off the spectacle with a rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon."

They were followed by Lainey Wilson and then Stevie Wonder, who played the harmonica and led a choir in singing “We Are the World”, another of Michael Jackson’s hits produced by Jones.

“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.”

Monáe wrapped the tribute with a frenetic performance of the Jones-produced 1979 mega-hit “Don’t Stop 'til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson.

Wearing a suit like Jackson’s and moonwalking across the stage, the effervescent Monae beamed with energy on stage, even revealing an "I Heart QJ" shirt as she exited.

---

About Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones had a long career as a composer and trumpeter who broke down racial boundaries in music and film at a time where the divide was more pronounced than ever. He died on November 3, 2024, of pancreatic cancer at his Los Angeles home.

He worked alongside several of music's most celebrated legends over the years and became universally revered as one of the greatest producers of all time. As a champion for the underdog and a radical force at the forefront of racial equality, it's abundantly clear that his legacy will not be forgotten.