LL Cool J, Victoria Monét & More Remember Quincy Jones: ‘Music Would Not Be Music Without You’
As news broke of Quincy Jones’ death at age 91 on Monday (Nov. 4), tributes began to pour in to honor the musician who Clive Davis once told Billboard was “the ultimate music renaissance man.” Among those paying tribute to the 28-time Grammy winner were LL Cool J, David Guetta and Victoria Monét.
“You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King. 👑You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you,” LL Cool J wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Jones holding numerous Grammys awards. “My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally. #ripquincyjones one of one.”
Monét began her tweet with five heartbroken emojis. “to one of my biggest inspirations! Quincy I love you so much!!!” she wrote. “Your legacy will live on forever and ever 😢 Heaven definitely got an upgrade with you”
French DJ and record produce Guetta shared a lengthy remembrance on X highlighting some of Jones’ achievements. “It’s hard to find the words to express the impact @QuincyDJones has had on me, as well as on music and culture as a whole. Quincy wasn’t just a legend, he was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and a true genius. He produced my favorite album of all time, ‘Thriller’ by @michaeljackson, an album that set the standard for what music could be, blending genres and pushing boundaries,” he wrote. The DJ also shared a photo of himself with the music legend, before recounting how they met.
“I had the honor of meeting Quincy, notably at the Grammys @RecordingAcad, where we even had the chance to speak in French, a language he mastered so beautifully,” Guetta shared. “Those moments will stay with me forever. Thank you, Quincy, for all you’ve given us. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists to come.”
Jones’ publicist Arnold Robinson shared that the music icon died Sunday (Nov. 3) at his Los Angeles home, with his family around him. His family also shared a statement. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created,” it read in part. “Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Read on for more musician reactions to Quincy Jones’ death:
“I woke up today to the Terrible news that we lost Quincy Jones,” Ice-T tweeted along with a vintage photo of the rapper-actor with the music legend. “Genius is a discription loosely used but Rarely deserved. Point blank, Quincy was the MAN. I won my 1st Grammy with Quincy and I live with his Wisdom daily. My condolences go out to his family who I had the honor of
“We have lost one of the all time greats. The world will miss Quincy Jones,” Darius Rucker tweeted alongside a photo of the artist. “Rest my friend.”
“Rest in Peace and Perfect Pitch Quincy Jones! What a life well lived,” Sheryl Lee Ralph tweeted.
Anna Chan
Billboard
