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Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer behind Michael Jackson‘s Thriller, has died at the age of 91.
Jones, who also worked with names as eclectic as Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Will Smith, died at his Los Angeles home on Sunday night (November 3).
The news was revealed by Jones’ publicist, who released a statement from his family saying: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
A cause of death has yet to be announced.
As well as his celebrated collaborations with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones was also renowned for his work on film soundtracks such as those from The Italian Job, The Color Purple and The Getaway.
When Jones was a young man, he was also notable for his work in jazz, collaborating with greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. He also played trumpet for Elvis Presley.
Outside of his work in music, Jones served as a producer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and co-founded VIBE magazine.
Tributes to the music giant have already started pouring in, with Victoria Monét writing on social media: “To one of my biggest inspirations! Quincy I love you so much!!! Your legacy will live on forever and ever. Heaven definitely got an upgrade with you.”
Just Blaze added in an emotional tribute: “It took my mom a while to understand what I did. She just knew it was something to do with music and turntables and machines.
“It didn’t really click fully until we went to the Grammys for the first time along with her students asking if it was true she was Just Blaze’s mother. She couldn’t figure out how they knew who I was. Eventually one day she asked ‘so are you like Quincy Jones, but for rap music?’”
Fellow Hip Hop producer Pete Rock said on Instagram: “Rest in peace Quincy, truly one of the greatest ever! Worth can’t describe the importance. Thanks for everything my Dude.”
R&B duo Dvsn added: “Quincy…. Magic has left again. Not much more left here,” while Top Dawg Entertainment president Terrence “Punch” Henderson tweeted: “Quincy Delight Jones Jr. The G.O.A.T.”
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Notorious screenwriter Cheo Hodari Coker also paid tribute, writing: “Quincy Jones, man. Lucky to have known him from my VIBE days. What’s crazy is that as much as he’s recognized for his work with Michael Jackson, it’s his Frank Sinatra work I find myself listening to more recently. Sinatra singing over a Quincy Jones arranged Count Basie band is absolute perfection.
“That’s the beauty of Q. His arrangements and production of Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, and Basie would have guaranteed him Hall Of Fame status, but he continued to evolve. From Bebop through hip-hop at its highest levels, he’s the only person who can righteously claim both.”
HipHopDX sends its condolences to Quincy Jones’ family, friends and fans.
