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Obama Honors Quincy Jones as “The Man Who Was Music” in A Tribute
Former President Barack Obama paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary music producer Quincy Jones, highlighting his vast influence on music and culture.
In a post on his X handle, Obama celebrated Jones’ contributions, crediting him as a figure who was instrumental in shaping modern music and breaking barriers in the entertainment industry.
“For decades, Quincy Jones was music,” Obama wrote, reflecting on the long and remarkable career of the man behind some of history’s most celebrated music.
From producing Michael Jackson’s record-breaking Thriller album to composing the score for The Color Purple and collaborating with stars like Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, Quincy’s impact was profound and wide-reaching.
Obama added, “It seemed like every big record—and every big film—had Quincy’s name on it.”
Quincy Jones’ reach in the music world is indeed vast.
As the mind behind Thriller, he helped create the best-selling album of all time, defining the sound of the 1980s and introducing new standards in production.
Working alongside Michael Jackson, Quincy not only produced hits like Beat It and Billie Jean but also crafted a sonic landscape that would set the bar for generations to come.
His role in shaping Jackson’s career brought him global acclaim, securing his place in music history.
However, Quincy’s influence went far beyond pop music.
His composition for the film adaptation of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple showcased his versatility, allowing him to bring his musical genius to Hollywood.
Through the film, Jones brought the struggles, resilience, and spirit of African Americans to the big screen in a profound way.
His soundtrack elevated the emotional impact of the film, earning him an Academy Award nomination and solidifying his reputation as a composer with the ability to resonate across various genres.
A pioneer in bridging racial divides, Quincy Jones’ work appealed to listeners of every background and every age.
From jazz and soul to pop and film scores, his music was universal, connecting people and defining eras.
Obama highlighted that by building a career that took him from the tough streets of Chicago to the glamorous heights of Hollywood, Quincy became a trailblazer for Black artists and executives alike.
His achievements opened doors for many in an industry that had long been challenging for Black professionals to thrive in at high levels.
Obama closed his tribute by offering comfort to Jones’ loved ones and fans, saying, “Michelle and I send our thoughts to Quincy’s friends, family, and everyone who has lived their lives to his songs.”
Quincy Jones’ legacy is seen not only in his music but in the countless artists he mentored and inspired.
His career spanned over seven decades, during which he won 28 Grammy Awards and received 80 nominations, making him one of the most decorated artists in Grammy history.
Beyond the awards, he was an advocate for social change and a visionary who used his platform to push for equality and justice.
Throughout his life, Quincy worked with music icons like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra.
His collaborations with Frank Sinatra were particularly groundbreaking, bridging racial boundaries at a time when such partnerships were rare.
Together, they produced timeless hits like Fly Me to the Moon, helping Sinatra reinvent his sound and reach new audiences.
Quincy’s early work with Ray Charles also left a lasting impact on him, helping shape his understanding of music’s power to transcend racial divides and bring people together.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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