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.

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.

“Quincy was love, lived out loud in human form. And he poured that love into others and into his work. My life changed forever and for the better after meeting him. He actually discovered me for The Color Purple, which was my first film,” Winfrey said, to which Goldberg added: “Me, too.”

Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg honored the late Quincy Jones at Los Angeles' Dolby Theater, celebrating his legacy in music and film.

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.”

The Queen saluted the king at the Oscars. Queen Latifah took the stage at the 2025 Academy Awards Sunday to pay tribute to Quincy Jones with a musical performance. The New Jersey multi-hyphenate Oscar nominee honored her fellow multi-hyphenate talent by singing the song “ Ease on Down the Road ” from “ The Wiz " (watch below).

Oscars featured a heartfelt tribute to Quincy Jones, led by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. They honored his legacy in music and film. Queen Latifah performed, celebrating Jones' remarkable career,

Queen Latifah will honor the late Quincy Jones with a special tribute at the 2025 Oscars on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre. The tribute recognizes Jones’ groundbreaking contributions to film music and his historic achievements at the Academy Awards.