Quincy Jones Subtly Shaded Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for Giving Up on Music to ‘Chase Money’

Quincy Jones was a prolific producer who had no problem sharing his thoughts about the music industry. When asked, Jones spoke freely and derisively about the state of modern music. He explained that the beauty of the art form was lost when producers focused too much on money. In his explanation, he subtly pointed to Sean “Diddy” Combs as someone who had given up on the history of music in exchange for financial gain.

Quincy Jones thought the music industry was in bad shape

When reflecting on the state of the modern music industry, Jones was dismissive.

“There ain’t nothing new,” he told Vulture in 2018. “The producers are lazy and greedy.”

He didn’t believe that people were treating music as an art form.

“Listen to the music — these guys don’t know what they’re doing,” he said. “You’ve got to respect the gift God gave you by learning your craft.”

He then pointed to the pursuit of money over music. He pointed to people who have sought wealth over innovation. Jones didn’t like seeing producers sell products and used Cîroc as an example. Diddy became an ambassador for the brand in 2007 and took over a 50% share in the company’s profits.

“People gave it up to chase money. When you go after Cîroc vodka and Phat Farm and all that s***, God walks out of the room,” he said. “I have never in my life made music for money or fame. Not even Thriller. No way. God walks out of the room when you’re thinking about money. You could spend a million dollars on a piano part and it won’t make you a million dollars back. That’s just not how it works.”

Quincy Jones shared what he liked about the music industry

Though Jones wasn’t happy with the state of modern music, he still liked to learn as much as he could about it.

“[I like] understanding where it comes from. It’s fascinating,” he said. “I was on a trip with Paul Allen a few years ago, and I went to the bathroom and there were maps on the wall of how the Earth looked a million-and-a-half years ago. Off the coast of South Africa, where Durban is, was the coast of China.”

He found the way music blended different cultures over the years to be fascinating. 

“The people had to be mixing, and you hear it in the music — in the drums from both places,” he said. “There are African qualities to Chinese music, Japanese music, too, with the Kodo drumming. It all comes from Africa. It’s a heavy thing to think about.”

He revealed the artists he thought were doing good work

Jones also wasn’t entirely negative about the music industry. He believed there were at least some people who were doing good work.

“Bruno Mars. Chance the Rapper. Kendrick Lamar. I like where Kendrick’s mind is. He’s grounded. Chance, too,” he said. “And the Ed Sheeran record is great. Sam Smith — he’s so open about being gay. I love it. Mark Ronson is someone who knows how to produce.”