Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 166. Questlove: The Art of Self-Sabotage
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Apr 14, 2025 Questlove, the iconic drummer and producer of The Roots, opens up about his early touring experiences with his father's band. He candidly discusses the emotional toll of self-sabotage and jealousy, even within a legendary band. The conversation takes a humorous turn as he reflects on the Oscars and the unexpected aftermath of 'The Slap.' Listeners also get a glimpse into his upcoming documentary, Sly Lives!, and the pivotal journey of embracing authenticity in an industry filled with pressures and expectations.
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Self-Sabotage as Control Mechanism
- People self-sabotage to control their environment and avoid uncertainty about their future.
- Familiar failure feels safer than the unknown risks of success.
Early Music Immersion and Flop Songs
- Questlove grew up immersed in music by touring with his father who was a nightclub musician.
- He collected 'flop' songs his dad's band discarded, which shaped his musical taste.
Questlove's Oscar Slap Experience
- Questlove missed the significance of Will Smith's Oscar slap moment initially and thought it was a sketch.
- He felt anxious and uncertain about his win, reflecting on how the incident overshadowed his moment.