Will Smith Returns to Grammys to Honor Quincy Jones
Will Smith made his triumphant return to major televised awards shows at the Grammys on Sunday, where he opened a moving tribute to the late music legend Quincy Jones.
Smith introduced piano virtuoso Herbie Hancock and later invited "Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo to perform a rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon."
"This past year, we lost an icon: Quincy Jones," Smith said, acknowledging the legendary producer's impact. "I owe much of my career to Q. He brought out the greatness in countless music legends and forever changed the landscape of music."
The tribute also featured performances by Lainey Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and Janelle Monae, who closed the segment with a dazzling cover of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."
Jones, who passed away in November 2023, played a pivotal role in Smith's career as the executive producer of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
Smith's appearance marks his first major award show presentation since the Oscars incident in 2022. Despite the controversy, Smith remains a Grammy veteran with eight nominations and four wins, including "Best Rap Solo Performance" for "Getting' Jiggy Wit It" and "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group" for "Summertime" with DJ Jazzy Jeff.