Who composed the series music for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

Quincy Jones III composed the series music for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

He is the son of legendary musician and producer Quincy Jones, who helped develop the sitcom and served as an executive producer. That family connection explains one of the most common mix-ups in this question: Quincy Jones was central to the show's creation, but Quincy Jones III received the composer credit.

The distinction is also easy to blur because DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith created and performed the famous opening theme, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." DJ Jazzy Jeff produced the theme song, while Smith wrote and rapped its story-driven lyrics as the Fresh Prince.

The sitcom premiered on NBC in 1990 and ran for six seasons and 148 episodes. Its instrumental score helped link scenes and reinforce the show's blend of family comedy, hip-hop style, and occasional serious social themes.