Questlove - Apple Podcasts

The Questlove Show

The Questlove Show

iHeartPodcasts
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

NBC Universal

1d ago

Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire's Ralph Johnson sits down with Questlove for a wide-ranging conversation about the music, moments, and mindset that shaped one of the greatest bands of all time. From spinning Benny Goodman records as a kid and witnessing a transformative James Brown concert in 1966 to navigating Los Angeles during The Watts Riots, Ralph reflects on the experiences that set him on the path to becoming Earth, Wind & Fire's legendary drummer. He also shares stories from the band's early hustle—playing legendary clubs, piling into station wagons, and chasing every opportunity—through their breakthrough audition for Clive Davis and the evolution into a groundbreaking live act known for its unforgettable blend of music, magic, choreography, and spectacle. Along the way, Ralph discusses the artists who inspired him, his work producing noteworthy tracks outside of Earth, Wind & Fire, and Maurice White's vision, spirituality, and enduring influence on the band's sound and philosophy. He also opens up about the group's 1983 breakup, the enduring legacy of songs like "September," and what led him to write his memoir, Life in Harmony: A Memoir with Earth, Wind & Fire. The conversation, which also celebrates Quest's latest documentary, Earth, Wind & Fire: To Be Celestial vs. That's The Weight of the World, closes with Ralph reflecting on why now felt like the right time to tell his story, as well as the passions—from cooking to art collecting—that continue to fuel his creativity today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 31m
Jun 29

Chuck D

In one of the most requested and long-awaited conversations in this show’s history, Chuck D finally joins Questlove in the studio. What unfolds is an intimate conversation about the art, science, and spirit behind Public Enemy—especially during the group’s formative years. Chuck traces the spark from hearing "Blow Your Head" at roller rinks to the Frankenstein tape loops that gave birth to "Public Enemy No. 1," "Rebel Without a Pause," and "Bring the Noise." He recalls writing classic verses on the move, reflects on his early jobs, and breaks down the record-collecting discipline that fueled the Bomb Squad's dense sonic collages. Along the way, Chuck opens up about aging as an MC, meeting James Brown, and Flavor Flav's evolution. This is Hip-Hop history, music nerdery, and deeply human storytelling from one of Rap's most important and enduring voices. Chuck D and past QLS guest John Densmore of The Doors have teamed up for a new collaborative album, do+pe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 23m
4d ago · Bonus

A Reaction To The Chuck D Episode Of The Questlove Show

Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake link for a mini-episode to unpack Questlove's long-awaited conversation with Chuck D. Along the way, they discuss the disappearance of Hip-Hop's "middle class," the vital role independent labels played in sustaining it, and why those ecosystems matter now more than ever. As the two QLS affiliates revisit highlights from the Chuck D interview, Mike shares a surreal story about attending one of Chuck D's lectures while in college. Together, they explore the importance of preserving the stories, spaces, and conversations that keep Hip-Hop's history alive—and why documenting its legends remains as essential as celebrating them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 min
Jun 22

Thundercat

Thundercat joins Questlove for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation that traces his journey from Compton and church gigs to global stages with Flying Lotus, Mac Miller, and beyond. He breaks down the spiritual impact of MF DOOM, how mentors like Dazz Band affiliate Reggie Andrews and his musician parents shaped his ear. Thundercat reflects on surviving LA’s realities, finding creative family with Kamasi Washington and crew, and the role comics, anime, and Disneyland played in building his singular universe. He and Questlove compare Jazz upbringings, talk bass gods (Stanley vs. Jaco), grief and growth after losing collaborators, and the daily work of staying present in a chaotic world. Thundercat's newest album, Distracted, is out now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 8m
2d ago

QLS Classic: Top Shelf 1988

Listen back as the masterminds behind Top Shelf 1988 join Team Supreme to discuss the most transformative year in Hip-Hop history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 17m
Jan 6

The 2025 Criterion Episode

This week on The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast we’re taking a look back at all the shorts we discussed in 2025 and deciding if they belong in the “Criterion” Lonely Island box set. We’re also including a category for Kim’s Video. To decide this for us, we’ve got Seth and special guests Questlove (The Roots and Tonight Show band leader) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (from a very good musical called Hamilton). Let us know if you think they got it right! Watch all the shorts (available on YouTube) that we talked about in 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR9ZV6ngzoSpbuzBAuKGjwP96iJDbK2Ow Send us an email: thelonelyislandpod@gmail.com Send us a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/thelonelyisland Send us stuff: P.O. Box 4024 New York, NY 10185 Photos and everything else can be found by following us on Instagram @lonelymeyerspod Support our sponsors: Grow Therapy Grown Therapy sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. Visit https://growtherapy.com/ISLAND today to get started. Homechef Home Chef is offering my listeners FIFTY PERCENT OFF and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life! Go to https://homechef.com/ISLAND AG1 Go to https://DRINKAG1.com/ISLAND to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. Rocket Money Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://RocketMoney.com/island

1h 14m
6d ago

QLS Classic: Howard Hewett

Closing the Black Music Month run of classics, Howard Hewett joined Questlove Supreme back in 2021 for an intimate, wide-ranging conversation about one of the most remarkable voices in R&B. From his formative years in Akron, Ohio, to his breakthrough with Shalamar and his enduring solo career, Hewett reflects on the artistry, discipline, and faith that have sustained him through decades in music. Questlove and Team Supreme explore Hewett's vocal approach, the evolution of Shalamar, the realities of the music business, and the creative partnerships that shaped his career. Along the way, Hewett opens up about his spiritual journey, the lessons he's learned through personal and professional challenges, and the perspective that continues to guide his life and music. Filled with behind-the-scenes stories, musical deep dives, and heartfelt reflections, the episode offers a portrait of a consummate vocalist whose influence extends far beyond his chart success, revealing why Howard remains a true singer's singer and a beloved figure in music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2h 30m
Jun 26 · Bonus

A Reaction To The Thundercat Episode Of The Questlove Show

In this mini, Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpack the new Thundercat episode of The Questlove Show and the wider universe surrounding it—from Los Angeles' borderless music scenes to the mentors and misfits who shaped them. Inspired by Thundercat's custom mask medallion and reflections on MF DOOM, Mike recalls collaborating with the late MC/producer, reflects on processing Daniel Dumile's passing through song ("For Doom"), and shares memories of appearing on television alongside Thundercat and Flying Lotus. Mike and Jake also explore the rewards and risks of artistic reinvention, what it meant to connect with Hip-Hop beyond commercial radio and video shows, and how educator and musician Reggie Andrews quietly influenced generations of artists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

34 min
Jun 8

Fab 5 Freddy Part 1

Hip-Hop visionary Fab 5 Freddy joins Questlove to trace his path from Bed-Stuy's Hancock Street to painting whole-car subway masterpieces, exhibiting in Rome, and helping bring Rap to the mainstream through Yo! MTV Raps. While discussing his new memoir, Everybody's Fly, Fred shares vivid memories of Brooklyn riots, preserving Malcolm X’s final speech on reel-to-reel tape, and even cold-calling Thelonious Monk as a kid. Freddy unpacks Brooklyn’s mobile disco scene, the origins of sound system culture, and how graffiti crews transformed subway cars into rolling art galleries. Along the way, he and Questlove swap stories about boomboxes, gritty ’70s New York, and the tapes, block parties, and community networks that laid the groundwork for Hip-Hop culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 32m
Jun 25

QLS Classic: The Jacksons

Five years ago, in mid 2021, Questlove Supreme sat down with three members of The Jacksons, THE American Music Dynasty. In the spirit of Black Music Month, Ahmir's quote: "we would be pressed to find one person on this earth who has not been affected by their legacy" echoes powerfully. Jackie, Marlon, and the since-passed Tito discussed their 50-year musical legacy, the remastering of their classic albums, and their transition from Motown to Epic Records on QLS. The two-hour episode was recorded on Zoom, but the conversation is preserved as an evergreen look into the musical family that continues to shape music and culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2h 6m
Jun 15

Fab 5 Freddy Part 2

The second half of Fab 5 Freddy's in-studio conversation with Questlove explores the enduring legacy of Wild Style and revisits key moments from Yo! MTV Raps. Fab shines a light on the unsung heroes of the graffiti movement and reveals how a botched audio recording shaped one of his film's most iconic sequences. The conversation also traces his role in bringing N.W.A to television, directing a classic video for Snoop Dogg, and helping develop a groundbreaking Chicago Rap group as an executive. Along the way, he reflects on the legacies of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, and discusses building a modern-day renaissance through art and cannabis advocacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

56 min
Jun 24

QLS Classic: Robert Glasper

A pandemic-era classic, this 2020 conversation finds Questlove, Phonte, Laiya, Suga Steve, sitting down with the incomparable Robert Glasper. The Grammy-winning pianist, producer, and cultural force discusses his mission to push Jazz forward, blur genre lines, and build new bridges between Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop, and beyond. Having collaborated with Glasper themselves, Quest' and Phontigallo get the inside story from the artist who redefined "Black Radio" and helped reshape the sound of modern Black music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2h 7m
Jun 28

QLS Classic: Little Brother

This Questlove Supreme Classic episode with Little Brother aired back in May 2020. Team Supreme's Phonte Coleman is in the guest seat as he and partner Rapper Big Pooh discuss the evolution of their group, and reuniting personally and creatively for May The Lord Watch in 2019. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 41m
Apr 20

Posdnuos of De La Soul

Posdnuos of De La Soul sits down with Questlove for a long-awaited conversation fans have been asking for. Ahmir digs into the group's catalog with fan-driven questions, while Plug 1 shares stories from the studio, reveals which classic tracks were originally intended for other artists, and reflects on the legacy of his brother, Dave aka Trugoy the Dove. The discussion celebrates one of Hip-Hop's most influential groups—and their lasting impact on The Roots. With last year's Cabin In The Sky album still in constant rotation, this is an episode fans won't want to miss. Catch De La Soul at May's Roots Picnic in Philadelphia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 57m
Jun 27

QLS Classic: Terence Blanchard

As we celebrate the final week of Black Music Month 2026, revisit this 2021 episode of Questlove Supreme featuring renowned composer, musician, and arranger Terence Blanchard. Blanchard's 30-year creative partnership with Spike Lee has made them, in Quest's words, "the best combo of film director and film scorer." While his work on the majority of Lee's films is remarkable in itself, it represents just one chapter in an extraordinary career spanning film and television. Recorded as Blanchard prepared for his second Academy Award nomination for Da 5 Bloods, this conversation finds him sharing the true story behind his incredible journey with Questlove and Team Supreme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 59m
Apr 6

Flea

Flea joins Questlove in-studio to discuss his debut trumpet album Honora, the long road back to his first musical love, and the rituals that ground his creativity and daily life. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee unpacks the evolution of his artistry—from a Jazz-obsessed kid in upstate New York to a genre-curious fixture in the L.A. scene to a cornerstone of the Red Hot Chili Peppers—and how prayer, reading, stretching, and strict boundaries with technology shape his days. Flea also opens up about assembling the Honora band with Josh Johnson and Jeff Parker, his collaborations with Thom Yorke, his relationship with his wife Mel, and why intention and personal integrity matter more to him than chops or genre. This episode of the Questlove Show flows with deep musical nerdery and raw honesty about what it really takes to keep growing as an artist and a human being. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 22m
May 25

Christopher Cross

Christopher Cross joins Questlove in Hollywood for a deep musician-to-musician conversation about songwriting, studio craftsmanship, and surviving meteoric success. Cross reveals the true origin of Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) and the outlaw mythology behind Ride Like The Wind, while recalling experiences like seeing Jimi Hendrix live, opening for Led Zeppelin, and singing background vocals with Carl Wilson. He breaks down the making of his classic debut album, his obsession with Steely Dan–level precision, and why his later records still matter deeply to him and his core fans. Along the way, Cross shares rare stories about Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Michael McDonald, and Jimmy Page — plus an unforgettable Ginger Baker milk-and-ulcers story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 38m
09/04/2023

Questlove

Legendary hip-hop musician Questlove feels fine with being Conan O’Brien’s friend. Questlove sits down with Conan to discuss his classical musical training, the improbable genesis of The Roots, how they “pulled a Hendrix” to come out on top, and curating experimental playlists for high-profile friends. For Conan videos, tour dates and more visit TeamCoco.com. This episode was recorded on 6/20/23. Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/conan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1h 11m
Jun 19 · Bonus

Questlove & Open Mike Eagle Talk Aging In Hip-Hop...And More

Questlove sits down with Open Mike Eagle in-studio for a candid mini-conversation about aging in Hip-Hop, grief, and learning to accept flowers without guilt. Ahmir opens up about losing collaborators (and friends), navigating therapy, and trying to define what The Roots should sound like in 2026 without their longtime mentor Richard Nichols. They break down the tension between survival and artistry in Black music, what it means to grow with a group for nearly 40 years, and why so many artists struggle to feel they “deserve” love and acclaim. Open Mike shares his own challenges working in a three-MC crew (Previous Industries) and maintaining friendships intact when the music does not always pay the bills. It’s a rare, vulnerable look at midlife, creativity, and the business of staying human while staying dope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 min
Jun 4

Black Music Month QLS Classic: Jimmy Jam Part 2

Black Music Month at QLS carries on tradition. In part 2 of his epic interview (the one that Quest' always refers to), Jimmy Jam spoke about making Prince jealous, the studio secrets behind his recordings, how he made all those hits with Janet Jackson and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2h 9m

Questlove on Apple