At the 67th Grammy Awards, Will Smith, Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Lainey Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock came together to honor the late music producer Quincy Jones, who passed away last year, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in music.

Erivo started the nearly 20-minute homage with Hancock, singing “Fly Me to the Moon,” after a warm introduction from Smith. They were succeeded by Wilson and then Wonder, who played the harmonica and guided a choir in performing “We Are the World.” Monáe concluded the tribute with a rendition of Michael Jackson’s classic song “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough,” which was produced by Jones in 1979. She wore a suit reminiscent of Jackson’s style and even included a moonwalk on stage.

“I love you so much, Quincy Jones,” Monáe expressed after her performance, showcasing an “I Heart QJ” shirt.

Jones had a distinguished career as a composer and trumpeter, breaking racial barriers in the realms of music and film. He passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 91 on November 3 in his Los Angeles home.

During the tribute, Smith shared emotional memories of Jones, who was an executive producer on his popular ’90s television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” He recalled how Jones was not pleased with the catering for the crew on “Fresh Prince,” which taught him a vital lesson about ensuring those who help you succeed are also taken care of. “Quincy Jones always took care of people, and that’s how he fed the world,” Smith reflected in his speech.

How Many Grammys Did Quincy Jones Win?

Quincy Jones, known for producing Jackson’s legendary album “Thriller” and the charity single “We Are the World,” won 28 Grammy Awards throughout his career. He also received several Oscar nominations for his work in film music and was honored with a National Medal of Arts. A trailblazer who shattered racial barriers in the music and film industries, he is one of the most esteemed music producers in history.

With his name credited as a producer, composer, conductor, arranger, or performer on over 400 albums, he composed about 35 film scores and remains highly respected in the music industry.

Jones is survived by seven children: Jolie Jones Levine (from his first marriage to actress Jeri Caldwell), Martina Jones and Quincy Jones III (from his second marriage to model Ulla Andersson), Kidada Jones, and actress Rashida Jones from his third marriage to actress Peggy Lipton, Rachel Jones (with Carol Reynolds), and Kenya Julia Miambi Sarah Jones (with actress Nastassja Kinski).

In November, Jones was honored with an honorary Oscar by the Film Academy at the Governors Awards. His family graciously accepted the award, which was accompanied by an emotional musical tribute led by Jennifer Hudson.

Contributing: Kristin McGrath, Taijuan Moorman, Melissa Ruggieri,

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter. Follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.