Queen Latifah hit the stage at the 97th Academy Awards with a live performance, paying tribute to the late Quincy Jones through a performance of “Ease On Down the Road.” Jones died in November, and Latifah’s performance honored the Grammy-winning producer and film composer who collaborated with Michael Jackson.

Of Jones, who died in November at the age of 91, Winfrey said: “One’s first thought is musical genius and for good reason.” She cited Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles as artists with whom Jones worked “and the driving force behind ‘We Are The World.’ … But the man, our beloved Q, had an equally important impact on film.”

Quincy Jones received a tribute at the 2025 Academy Awards. Queen Latifah, Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey were on hand to remember the late producer and songwriter.