Advertise on podcast: The Questlove Show

The Questlove Show hoped to record an episode with DJ Shadow while he was on the East Coast for the 30th-anniversary tour of Endtroducing….., but scheduling didn’t work out this time. Instead, Open Mike Eagle—who is performing on some of Shadow’s current tour dates—and Cousin Jake celebrate Shadow’s landmark debut, its lasting impact, and more. They talk about crate-digging in dollar bins, Shadow’s little-known production work for Paris, Gift of Gab’s verse on “Midnight in a Perfect World,” and the difference between a beatmaker and a producer. They also explain why Shadow’s music demands active listening—not background or the dreaded “beats to study to.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join legendary producer and musician Nile Rodgers as he travels across the country in his Lincoln Navigator® SUV, sitting down with some of music's biggest names to uncover the turning points that defined them. Experience Before the Moment: A Lincoln Original Series on the iHeartRadio App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A real tycoon is in the building. Questlove sits down with Vallejo’s own E-40, the Yay Area legend who was selling records out of his trunk back when getting a major-label deal felt impossible. He built his own label, financed his projects independently, and gave Hip-Hop an entire dictionary of slang and similes. Now, with Turning My Money Over—a historic 40-song quadruple album—Earl Stevens isn’t slowing down. E-40 talks about growing up on Magazine Street in Vallejo’s Hillside neighborhood, the New York and Bay Area rappers who shaped his voice, and the year at Grambling State that taught him how to make it on his own. He explains how The Click navigated distribution through consignment sheets, mom-and-pop stores, and even rim shops—and how VHS duplication helped change the game for independent artists. 40 Water recalls his dealings with Tupac, advocates for members of the Hieroglyphics crew, and shares how being doubted by a room full of DJs decades ago only pushed him to go harder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Questlove Supreme from 2022, Joan Jett spoke about growing up moving between Pennsylvania, Maryland and Los Angeles, and how songs like T. Rex's "Bang a Gong" made her want to chase her dreams, even after a guitar teacher told her "girls don't play Rock & Roll." She recalls forming The Runaways as a teenager, starting with four bus rides to jam with drummer Sandy West, and the low point after the band broke up, which ended when she met Kenny Laguna and later turned a little-known Arrows B-side into the hit "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Jett also discusses her influence on Riot Grrrl, her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, her new acoustic album, and her plans to keep stepping outside her comfort zone—maybe even with an R&B record.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this exclusive Questlove Show mini episode, Questlove talks with bass virtuoso Stanley Clarke about Last Train To Sanity, a recent 15-track album he funded himself and is selling only through his own website, with packaging designed by his daughter Natasha and full liner notes meant as a protest against streaming. Clarke also talks about recovering from a nerve injury in his arm, recording School Days at Electric Lady Studios and meeting Joey Ramone there, why he loves playing Detroit, and his plans to write an acoustic bass concerto for schools. Stay tuned for a full Stanley Clarke x episode running very soon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questlove sits down with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, the multi-instrumentalist from Perth—one of the most isolated cities on Earth—who spent years letting the world believe his one-man project was a band. Parker talks about turning down a big-name producer to make Innerspeaker alone in a beach shack he later bought, the more than 1,000 voice memos labeled “this will change my life,” and why he devotes 90% of his time to drum sounds. He also unpacks the idea behind Tame Impala's latest, Deadbeat, the feeling of always being on the outside—no matter how successful he becomes—and the strange ways stress and anxiety fuel his best work. Along the way: sneaking into a White Stripes show with his brother’s ID, a Batman Forever soundtrack confession, and his new life building synthesizers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded in early 2020, this classic episode of Questlove Supreme is Part 2 of the Family Stand conversation. Sandra St. Victor recounts leaving Atlantic for Elektra Records, and her alleges that Sylvia Rhone shelved her intended debut LP, Sanctuary. The band also discusses Prince hearing the album and working with Sandra, Curtis Mayfield’s warm mentorship, their defiant Moon In Scorpio era, and Jeff’s incredible saxophone work on hits by Billy Ocean and Debbie Gibson. Along the way, The Family Stand share wild stories about a 1983 night at Rick James’ house and Roy Ayers on tour in Africa, pay tribute to their late guitarist Ronnie Drayton, and reflect on the Black Rock Coalition. The episode closes with Stevie Wonder humbly taking their notes and a preview of the band’s new album, which grew out of their reunion concert at the Met. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We said we’d come back for Part 2—and we did. Arthur Baker, the architect behind “Planet Rock,” “Confusion,” and so much of the ’80s dance-floor sound, returns to The Questlove Show to finish what we started nearly a year ago. Arthur takes us from carrying crates of vinyl onto airplanes to the Synclavier sessions for Hall & Oates’ Big Bam Boom, the clubs and DJs who shaped his sound, and the Brooklyn studio sessions that led to what he jokingly calls “New Arthur” records with New Order. He also opens up about Streetwise Records, the making of Beat Street, the story behind “Sun City” and Artists United Against Apartheid, his connections to Miles Davis, Diana Ross, and Little Steven, and why he wrote his memoir, Looking For The Perfect Beat, for his daughter. Arthur Baker is back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This early-2020 episode of QLS is among Questlove’s absolute favorites. The incredible trio of Sandra St. Victor, Peter Lord, and V. Jeffrey Smith joined Ahmir, Laiya, Boss Bill, and Suga Steve for a comprehensive and highly spirited two-part conversation. The result is informative, engaging, and often hilarious. Peter recalls that watching The Exorcist left him so frightened that he played the radio every night—and that’s how he discovered music. V. Jeffrey Smith reveals that his famous saxophone solo on Billy Ocean’s “Caribbean Queen” was pieced together by producer Keith Diamond from recordings of him warming up. The trio also explains how the international hit “Ghetto Heaven” grew out of hearing a young Salaam Remi make beats in his father’s basement, how “Rush Rush” began as a playful jab at Babyface’s songwriting style before becoming a hit for Paula Abdul, and how one disastrous MTV Awards performance derailed the momentum of “Vibeology.” Enjoy this QLS episode. It’s truly a classic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of Questlove’s conversation with Wallo267, the tables turn. Wallo takes over, pushing Ahmir to make some changes. They trade questions about the albums that changed their lives, ’80s jackets, Soul Train Saturdays, and the day Wallo flew to London to meet the artist whose music carried him home from prison. The result is raw, funny, and—as Questlove admits—the most public intervention he’s ever received. Wallo's latest book, Yes To You, No To Them is available now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2022, while promoting her latest book Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop, acclaimed music journalist and author Danyel Smith joined Questlove Supreme for an episode. She spoke with Questlove and Team Supreme about the book, her years leading VIBE magazine, and her experiences writing about Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, and Arrested Development. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the Roots Picnic backstage conversation between Soulection founder Joe Kay and Questlove, Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpack the discussion and its broader significance. They trace L.A.’s beat scene from the Good Life Café through Sketchbook and Low End Theory, and examine Joe’s thoughts on Stones Throw Records’ early influence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wallo267 visited The Questlove Show to discuss his latest book, Yes To You, No To Them. Instead, he ended up disrupting Ahmir’s day—in the best possible way—with an experiential pep talk that captures why so many people need this book. The acclaimed Million Dollaz Worth of Game co-host, motivator, and music lover looks back on his journey—one that began just across town from Questlove’s—and how misinformation led him into life-changing circumstances. The two men compare notes on life and discuss how, after a quarter century behind bars, Wallo has spent the past decade embracing freedom to the fullest while cultivating possibility and hard-earned wisdom. Along the way, Wallo explains his profound appreciation for Anthony Bourdain, challenges Hollywood’s misconceptions about prison, and much more. The result is a vulnerable and deeply powerful episode of QLS—and only the first half of their full conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our most-played and most-beloved episodes of 2023. For Jazz Appreciation Month, Questlove and Team Supreme sat down with a living legend of the genre. Bob James recalls his incredible journey and his intersections with Sarah Vaughan, Creed Taylor, Idris Muhammad, and others. He also discusses becoming a beacon for hip-hop DJs and sample-based producers—and how he went from being a source to a collaborator with artists such as RZA, Talib Kweli, and, yes, still, Questlove. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake reflect on Questlove’s deep conversation with Maseo of De La Soul, pulling out its funniest reveals and heaviest emotional moments. This touches on nuggets from Gorillaz’ "Feel Good Inc." and salute the artistic integrity of scrapping big-name collabs when the music isn’t right. Along the way, they point out connections De La Soul to Bushwick Bill, Geto Boys, and ’80s Rap lore, and sit with Maseo’s vulnerability around loss, legacy, and the unseen work behind great performances. The duo also riff on the quiet comeback of CDs as fans return to tangible ways of supporting artists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.