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 Jones was perhaps best known for his work in pop and R&B music, but the composer, producer and arranger also left an indelible mark on film music with innovative and genre-defying scores. Honoring his groundbreaking contributions to cinema and song at the 2025 Oscars were Oprah Winfrey,