Will Smith Recalls Quincy Jones Saying the OriginalFresh Prince of Bel AirTheme Song Was a 'Piece of S---'

Mar. 15, 2025

Will Smith and Quincy Jones in 1990.Photo:Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/Alamy

The originalFresh Prince of Bel Airtheme song wasn’t the one fans know and love.On the Dec. 2 episode of VICE’s docuseriesBlack Comedy in America,Will Smithshared that the original opening music proposed for the sitcom was ‘a piece of s—’ according to the legendaryQuincy Jones, who wrote it.“So, Quincy presented a theme song,” the actor, 56, recalled.Despite Jones' track record, including hiswork with Michael Jackson, Smith “hated it.“He consultedDJ Jazzy Jeffand told him “I can’t say nothing” because of who Jones was. “What am I supposed to say?“Will Smith and Quincy Jones in 1990.Ron Galella Collection/GettyDJ Jazzy Jeff then recommended he and Smith record what they think the theme song should sound like. They made a demo that basically “tells the story of the show,” Smith said. They brought their song to Jones and asked him to take a listen.Jones obliged. “He said, ‘That’s good. Mine’s a piece of s—,'” Smith remembered, adding that the Grammy-winning producer said their demo was “what it needs to be.” TheBad Boysstar said the originally proposed song was a bit out of style for what the ’90s sitcom was all about.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Jones and Smith met in 1989when Benny Medina pitched the idea forFresh Princeto him and insisted on introducing him to the composer who served as the show’s executive producer during Jones’ own house party.“[Jones] said, ‘Hey, man, I saw your music videos, I love you what’re doing, I love what you’re doing. Tell me what your rap name was again?'” Smith recalled.When he said it was the Fresh Prince, Jones' response was, “All right, good, that’s what we’ll call the show.“The songwriter handed Smith a script, and he auditioned on the spot. The try-out was successful, he signed a contract with Jones, and three months later theFresh Prince of Bel Airwas in production.Quincy Jones and Will Smith.Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyJones died on Nov. 3at 91 years old.Smith paid tributeto him onInstagramon Nov. 4 with a throwback photo of them together. “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend,” the Oscar winner wrote.“He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to,” he added. “He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

The originalFresh Prince of Bel Airtheme song wasn’t the one fans know and love.

On the Dec. 2 episode of VICE’s docuseriesBlack Comedy in America,Will Smithshared that the original opening music proposed for the sitcom was ‘a piece of s—’ according to the legendaryQuincy Jones, who wrote it.

“So, Quincy presented a theme song,” the actor, 56, recalled.

Despite Jones' track record, including hiswork with Michael Jackson, Smith “hated it.“He consultedDJ Jazzy Jeffand told him “I can’t say nothing” because of who Jones was. “What am I supposed to say?”

Will Smith and Quincy Jones in 1990.Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella Collection/Getty

DJ Jazzy Jeff then recommended he and Smith record what they think the theme song should sound like. They made a demo that basically “tells the story of the show,” Smith said. They brought their song to Jones and asked him to take a listen.

Jones obliged. “He said, ‘That’s good. Mine’s a piece of s—,'” Smith remembered, adding that the Grammy-winning producer said their demo was “what it needs to be.” TheBad Boysstar said the originally proposed song was a bit out of style for what the ’90s sitcom was all about.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Jones and Smith met in 1989when Benny Medina pitched the idea forFresh Princeto him and insisted on introducing him to the composer who served as the show’s executive producer during Jones’ own house party.

“[Jones] said, ‘Hey, man, I saw your music videos, I love you what’re doing, I love what you’re doing. Tell me what your rap name was again?'” Smith recalled.

When he said it was the Fresh Prince, Jones' response was, “All right, good, that’s what we’ll call the show.”

The songwriter handed Smith a script, and he auditioned on the spot. The try-out was successful, he signed a contract with Jones, and three months later theFresh Prince of Bel Airwas in production.

Quincy Jones and Will Smith.Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Jones died on Nov. 3at 91 years old.Smith paid tributeto him onInstagramon Nov. 4 with a throwback photo of them together. “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend,” the Oscar winner wrote.

“He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to,” he added. “He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

source: people.com