Global audiences watching the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, witnessed a moment that transcended ceremony and became history. As the lights dimmed inside the Dolby Theatre, a hush fell over the room—then Queen Latifah stepped forward to honor the late Quincy Jones, delivering a tribute so joyful and reverent that it brought the entire audience to a tearful standing ovation.
The performance followed the In Memoriam segment, shifting the tone from reflection to celebration. Introduced by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg—both longtime collaborators and beneficiaries of Jones’s creative vision—Latifah launched into a soaring rendition of “Ease on Down the Road.” The song, produced by Jones for the 1978 film The Wiz, became the perfect vehicle for a final salute that honored not just a man, but a movement.
Dressed in a radiant gold caped gown, Queen Latifah commanded the stage with warmth and authority. She was joined by an ensemble of dancers in Wicked-inspired costumes and vocalist Dorian Holley, creating a vibrant celebration that reflected Jones’s lifelong commitment to joy, innovation, and what Goldberg described as “Black excellence.” The performance transformed the Dolby Theatre into a living testament to Jones’s belief that music should lift people up.
The choice of song carried deep historical and personal meaning. Quincy Jones earned one of his seven Oscar nominations for his work on The Wiz, and “Ease on Down the Road” remains one of the film’s most enduring anthems. For Latifah, the tribute was also deeply personal. She worked with Jones on his acclaimed 1995 album Q’s Jook Joint, and has often cited him as a mentor who opened doors in an industry that rarely offered them freely.
As Latifah’s vocals soared, the reaction was immediate and unscripted. Stars including Cynthia Erivo, Colman Domingo, and Ariana Grande rose to their feet, dancing and clapping along. The standing ovation spread like a wave, turning the tribute into one of the most emotionally charged moments of the night.
The performance also underscored Jones’s historic legacy within the Academy. He was the first Black musician to serve as music director for the Oscars in 1971 and the first Black composer nominated for Best Original Song. Just months earlier, in November 2024, the Academy honored him with an Honorary Oscar, accepted by his daughter Rashida Jones.
By turning a memorial into a jubilant celebration, Queen Latifah ensured that Quincy Jones was remembered not in silence, but in song. As the final note rang out and the theatre erupted, the message was unmistakable: Quincy Jones may be gone, but his music—and his spirit—will continue to ease the world down the road for generations to come.
@fandango Queen Latifah delivers a beautiful tribute to Quincy Jones with her rendition of ‘Ease On Down The Road’ from #TheWiz at the Oscars. #movietok #filmtok #awardseason #awardsseason #queenlatifa #quincyjones #easeondowntheroad