“You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones.”
The tribute marks one of Smith’s first appearances at an awards show since the2022 Oscars slap.
You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was if it wasnt for Quincy Jones."
Will Smith with Herbie Hancock at the 2025 Grammys.Credit:VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty
“Quincy Jones was a mentor, a friend, a father figure.
I wanna share a little story about Quincy,” he said.
Smith then recounted an early on-set experience in which he was struggling with a particularly difficult scene.
Will Smith at the 2025 Grammys.Amy Sussman/Getty
“Somebody said, ‘Will, Quincy wants to see you.'”
I was like, ‘What’s up, Q?’
Q said, ‘So this is the food that you think people on your set should eat?’
I don’t care if it’s not in the budget.
You pay for it out of your own pocket."
That same day, Smith announced his first solo album in 20 years, titledBased on a True Story.
Smith appeared at last year’sBET Awards, where he performed his song “you might Make It.”
Smith also recently played two sold-out shows at San Diego’s Observatory North Park.
