Some of the biggest names in popular culture and politics, from Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, have remembered Quincy Jones with a series of personal tributes.

With long appreciation in Rolling StoneWonder said the musician and producer, who died Sunday at the age of 91, “should be remembered as one of God’s greatest gifts to the world.”

Winfrey said that “my life was forever changed for the better” after meeting him, and described him as “love lived out loud in human form.”

Sir Paul said she was “gifted” and recalled that she “always had a twinkle in her eye and a very positive, loving spirit that impressed everyone who knew her”.

“His long career goes back to the early days when he was a trumpeter, then a bandleader, and then a producer of many great records.” Sir Paul wrote.

“But I would like to remember him as a friend. We always had fun in his presence and his legend will live on through the years, but for me it will always be those special moments we were lucky enough to spend with the great man.” I remember it with love.”

Jones has helped produce classic recordings with musicians such as Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, and has written more than 50 film and TV scores.

He also produced several films, including 1985’s The Color Purple. winfrey his big break.

“I have never experienced someone with a heart so full of love, and I haven’t since,” the presenter and actor said.

“He walked around with his heart wide open and treated everyone as if they were the most important person he had ever met. He was the Light. He had no shadow.”

He added: “He was the Mightiest of Spirits. His life beautified mine and every life he touched. This will be his global legacy.”

“The biggest, fullest, most loving life ever. One of One!”

In a moment of silence, Don’t worry “Losing Quincy is beyond heartbreaking,” she wrote.

The duo worked together on Jones’ 1985 charity single We Are the World, when he produced it, and on songs with Jackson and Donna Summer.

Wonder wrote that Jones was motivated “by the idea of ​​giving and receiving the best—not for money, but simply for his art.” “When you hear his music, you can look back and hear all of that.”

The singer added that Jones “should be remembered as a star that we will continue to burn for as long as humanity exists, by continuing the messages and music he made.”

“If I could choose my last words to Quincy before making this transition, I would have to borrow something Duke Ellington always said: ‘Quincy, I love you madly.'”

‘History has changed’

WeekendJones, who wrote the foreword for Jones’ book 12 Notes On Life And Creativity and included him in his Dawn FM album, paid a 900-word tribute to “the man who not only changed the course of my life, but also the course of history.” .

“His work when the cameras are off is often the most effective,” he wrote.

“His humility was beyond me. It’s very common in this business to think that once you’ve got a hit record and some fame, you’re the biggest VIP in the world.”

“But to see a man who had accomplished more than anyone else sustain himself without a single ounce of selfishness was the best example of beating around the bush.”

hit maker Pharrell Williams He hailed Jones as “The Greatest of All Time.”

“I am honored to have known Quincy and shared so many memories with him,” she wrote.

“He is a unique talent who I will miss deeply.”

Justin Timberlake He described Jones as “a once-in-a-lifetime artist.”

He wrote that he was an “exemplar of excellence in the craft” and a “mentor to many who followed.”

“Growing up listening to so many of his timeless works shaped much of the music I wanted to make or be a part of. He is the master behind many of my favorite artists.”

She added: “There was so much guidance he gave me along the way that I will take with me forever.”

Timberkale concluded his message as follows: “Thank you, King. Your contribution will live on forever. What a beautiful journey you took us all on.”

U2 lead singer bond he wrote: “Where it is tonight… the music will be a little more melodic, a little more interesting harmonically, and definitely more rhythmic… and yes, louder.”

The Fugees rapper and producer Wyclef Jean He said: “Hail to my mentor #QuincyJones, you are the reason I became a composer at 16… Long live the king of music.”

Barbra StreisandThe artist, who worked with Jones on his 1988 album Till I Loved You, said: “He gave so much to the world. I will miss you very much, my dear friend.

“Dear Quincy, we will always keep you in our hearts.”

Diana RossThe director, who starred with Michael Jackson in the 1978 film The Wiz, whose music was composed by Jones, said: “His love and music touched our hearts and souls. His words and legacy will continue to inspire us all forever.”

Jones’ prolific and varied career also included co-producing the TV sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. Will Smith.

“Quincy Jones is the definition of a Mentor, a Father, and a Friend,” Smith wrote.

“He guided me to the best parts of myself. He defended me. He nourished me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked in on me when I needed to. He allowed me to use his wings until my wings were strong enough to fly.”

Remembering Quincy Jones

Jones also nurtured a new generation of artists, including the Grammy-winning British musician. Jacob Collier.

He wrote: “More than a legend. A real-life superhero. A masterful, maverick magician. An ardent lover of life. A human being of the highest order. My friend, my soul brother, and my North Star…

“It lifted me up, gave me the courage to believe in myself and follow wherever it took me in a way that would forever change the course of my life.”

He added: “Man, I’m going to so miss the coolest ‘grandfather’ figure on the planet—the sardonic twinkling eye, the crooked index finger, the incomparable stories of Picasso, Stravinsky, Sinatra, Bird, Nadia Boulanger, and ad infinatum—and his boundless kindness, unconditional support, and love as well as an astonishing wealth of music that we can all enjoy forever.

“You will be in every note I play.”

Meanwhile, Janelle Monae he recalled “musically inspiring us to dream Wild and Big.”

He said: “He made me and many other artists and musicians feel that we could do anything. More importantly, with his contributions, he showed us that we could do anything because he did it.

“I love you. I will miss you. Your soul will live on forever.”

Oscar-winning actor and rapper Jamie Foxx He thanked Jones “for giving the world music” and “for giving the world an example of what a great man should be.”

“You taught us how to live, you taught us how to enjoy every moment of life,” he said.

“You have no idea the impact you made on a Texas teenager…the impact you made on the entire world will never be forgotten…rest in strength, KING.”

rapper Ice T He added: “Genius is a commonly used but rarely deserved description. To put it bluntly, Quincy was THE MAN.”

“I won my first Grammy with Quincy and I live by his Wisdom every day… This hit me. God bless you, KING.”

The former US President received praise from the political world as well Obama “His music appealed to listeners of all races and ages,” he says.

“And Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to make their mark on the entertainment industry, building a career that would take him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood.”

presidential candidate Kamala Harris He described himself as a “pioneer”.

“He lived his life unapologetically, using his talents to lift others up,” he wrote. “He broke down barriers and opened doors for those who came after him, not for praise, but because he knew the power of our common potential.”

He added: “I was honored to call Quincy my friend. I will always remember his generous spirit, selfless support, and deep kindness. Our world has lost a giant. But in his melodies and the lives he touched, Quincy’s legacy will live on forever.”

And the President Joe Biden He said he was “a musical genius who transformed the soul of America – one beat, one rhythm, and one rhyme at a time.”

girl child Martina Jones He also shared memories of his father, saying he was “my friend, my support, my guidance, and my inspiration of what love looks like.”

He continued: “The hole in my heart will definitely take time to heal. I will hold his humor, his words, his wisdom, his love of life close to my heart, and I will walk forward with every ounce of strength he instilled in me. I can only hope to take care of my siblings with my existence and love them from the bottom of my heart.”

“Secondly, it’s about how many lives I know he touched by simply being himself and sharing his love of his craft with the world. It’s not enough for ‘D’ to say you will be missed, you will never be forgotten.”

“Thank you for loving me and being the best father.”