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Will Smith, other stars honor music producers

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Hollywood mourns the loss of a music icon.

Quincy Jones, the legendary producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and other artists, died on Sunday, his publicist confirmed. He was 91.

Jones, who produced Jackson's legendary album “Thriller” and the charity song “We Are the World,” won nearly 30 Grammys throughout his career, received multiple Oscar nominations for his film scores and was awarded the National Medal of Arts. He leaves behind seven children, including actress Rashida Jones.

Tributes quickly poured in from those who had worked with Jones or were simply inspired by his music. LL Cool J remembered the producer as a “father and role model at a time when I really needed a father and role model,” as well as a “mentor,” “role model,” and “king.” The rapper previously said that Jones gave him “a lot of latitude and insight early in my career.”

“Without you, music wouldn’t be music,” he wrote on Instagram. “My condolences go out to the entire family. I love you. Rest in eternal music in the sweetest.”

Music titan Quincy Jones, The legendary producer of Michael Jackson's “Thriller” has died at the age of 91

Will Smith mourns the death of Quincy Jones, producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Will Smith shared a touching tribute to Jones on Instagram, saying he embodies “the true definition of a mentor, a father and a friend.”

Jones founded the production company responsible for “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and served as executive producer and composer for the 1990s sitcom that made Smith a star.

“He made me aware of the biggest parts of myself. He defended me. He encouraged me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked on me when he needed to,” Smith continued. “He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

Clive Davis, babyface tribute producer Quincy Jones

In a statement, his legendary music producer Clive Davis remembered Jones as “a true music giant.”

“Whether jazz, pop, R&B or rock, no genre of music escaped his genius. Say 'We Are The World' and say 'The Color Purple' and you'll understand the range of his music,” he said. “He was the ultimate man of the music renaissance and a true inspiration to all of us in music.”

The essentials: Clive Davis talks candidly about new artists, important music topics and Whitney Houston

Another great producer, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, said of Jones: “One of the greatest honors of my life was to be his friend.”

He captioned photos of himself and Jones, including a 1995 Vibe Magazine cover featuring Stevie Wonder, Coolio and the couple: “An icon, a legend, but most of all a beautiful spirit. There are too many stories to share, but I will cherish them forever.” ♥️ Be calm, my friend.

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Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan and John Legend mourn the loss of their colleague Quincy “Q” Jones

Gloria Estefan also said on Instagram that the “world is different today” because Jones, her daughter Emily's godfather, is “no longer in it.”

Estefan also worked with Jones on his 1995 album Q's Jook Joint.

“Throughout his life, at every stage and on every stage, he changed our existence for the better with every note of the music he created and everyone he touched with his love,” Estefan wrote. “I feel privileged to have been in his sphere and to have been able to witness firsthand the miracle that was and always will be, Mr. Quincy Jones.”

“We Are the World” contributor Lionel Richie simply captioned a photo of himself and his friend “Q,” “What an amazing ride!! ❤️🙏🏽 – always with love.”

John Legend recalled an embarrassing story with Jones in his tribute.

“When I first spoke to Q, he gently reprimanded me because one of my team members didn't represent me well in public during my first year. What a way to meet one of your heroes,” he began posting his speech on Instagram.

Afterwards he said he and Jones had “become good friends” and that the producer called Legend “his little brother” because I looked like his younger brother Richard.

“Thriller” to “We Are the World”: Quincy Jones leaves behind an iconic musical legacy

Legend worked with Jones on his 2010 album “Q: Soul Bossa Nostra.”

“He gave me great advice and always had the best stories. He was behind some of the most important music and cultural stories we have ever known,” he added. “He was the life of the party, so charming and full of light. … We are all very lucky to live in a world made more beautiful by the music he created.”

Rapper and actor Ice-T recalled winning his first Grammy because of Jones. The producer's 1989 album Back on the Block – featuring a diverse mix of musicians including Ice-T, Miles Davis and Chaka Khan – won the 1991 Grammy for Album of the Year.

“I live with his wisdom every day,” the rapper wrote on Instagram. “This one hit me. God bless you, KING.”

Michael Caine mourns “heavenly twin”, other friends, stars react to Quincy Jones' death

Michael Caine, whose 1969 film “The Italian Job” was scored by Jones, remembered his “celestial twin” as “a titan in the world of music.” Caine and Jones both share the same birthday, March 14th, and Jones previously noted on Facebook that they were born “on the same day, month, year and even the same HOUR!”

“He was a wonderful and unique person, I was lucky to have known him,” Caine said on X.

Colman Domingo recalled that he was “so thrilled” when he met Jones that he “literally knelt down because he was a king.” He also thanked Jones, who served as a producer on Domingo's 2023 film “The Color Purple,” for “setting the tone for all of us.”

Darius Rucker described “my friend” Jones as “one of the greats” and wrote on X that the “world will miss him.”

Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis noted that she has a personal connection to Jones, who bought the house where she grew up and raised his family there. “The idea of ​​his children running and playing in the same beautiful, rustic setting with eucalyptus trees makes me so happy,” she said on Instagram.

Katie Couric shared a photo of herself with the music producer on Instagram and praised him as “one of the greats.” Tyler Perry also posted a photo with Jones and said his heart was “broken” by the loss.

“It was a great honor to have known you, Q, and to dedicate a stage to you,” Perry shared. “Not only did you bring music and light, but you also shared so much of your wisdom with me. I will miss you, my friend. Sending prayers to your entire family.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda said, “A genius has left us,” noting he was “grateful for everything he gave us,” while Josh Gad thanked Jones for “taking us on thriller rides, flying us to the moon, and reminded us that we are the world.”

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Isaac Hayes III, son of Isaac Hayes, also reflected on how Jones didn't produce Michael Jackson's “Thriller” until he was in his late 40s. “Arguably one of the greatest achievements of his life and of all time was accomplished in the middle of his life,” Hayes wrote.

“Nowadays there is so much emphasis on achieving things at such a young age that many people feel like it's too late to be great or find themselves. That is not the case. Quincy Jones should always serve as an inspiration to carry forward.” Do your best and live on in the process.

Contribution: Reuters

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