The Questlove Show

The Revolution, members of Prince's band, discuss his early days, his life, and the truth behind the legend. Topics include Prince's influence on other musicians, challenges faced during live performances, being thrown off stage at a Rolling Stones concert, a wild and chaotic incident during a tour, Lisa and Wendy's upbringing in a creative environment, discovering Prince from fan to friend, Lisa's father and stolen keyboards, collaboration and Middle Eastern influences, the reunion of The Revolution, gratitude expressed towards someone, conversations with Prince's original guitarist and bassist, forming a band with Prince, early television debut and unique style, going out to nightclubs at a young age, meeting Prince and strange encounters, reflections on fame and humility, and Prince's interviews and dancing.

Samara Joy, a Grammy-winning jazz singer celebrated for her classic vocal style, shares her journey in a candid conversation. She reminisces about her surreal Grammy night and the significance of family in her musical roots. Samara recounts her early experiences in gospel music, influences from R&B, and the thrilling chaos of her rise in jazz. With humor and warmth, she highlights the importance of persistence for aspiring artists and reveals her morning routines, making a compelling case for following artistic passions.

Iconic actor Glynn Turman discusses his 60-year career spanning over 160 projects. Topics include his upbringing surrounded by influential artists, his experiences in the Harlem Cultural Festival, the concept of African American actors imitating white people, his near role as the original Han Solo, the influence of the film JD's Revenge on hip hop, and reflections on 'The Wire'.

In a lively and nostalgic discussion, Questlove, a renowned drummer and music historian, and Christian McBride, a Grammy-winning jazz bassist, reminisce about their high school days with Norah Jones. They dive into the evolution of their musical styles, debate the best ways to amplify acoustic bass, and share funny backstage stories. The trio also perform covers of iconic songs, including D'Angelo's 'Betray My Heart' and Chris Christopherson's 'Border Lord', showcasing their deep musical bonds and shared experiences.

Arthur Baker, a legendary producer and DJ pivotal in the 1980s dance and hip-hop scenes, shares thrilling tales from his new memoir. He talks about his journey from a music-loving DJ in Boston to creating iconic tracks like 'Planet Rock.' Baker reflects on his early encounters with hip-hop, studio innovations, and the transformative influence of the Roland TR-808. He also discusses the highs and lows of signing artists like New Edition and nearly discovering icons like Mariah Carey and Biz Markie. A captivating dive into music history awaits!

Questlove shares his plans for the new year, emphasizing a day-by-day approach instead of long-term resolutions. He elaborates on a powerful therapeutic exercise where he lists 100 fears, leading to a sense of empowerment. The Roots' New Year's Eve shows at Disney Hall are highlighted, alongside an exciting update on their new album, which is nearing completion. Additionally, Questlove teases a four-part documentary project in collaboration with Elissa Payne. Lastly, he reflects on the song 'Don't Push Me' by De La Soul as a defining anthem for 2025.

In this episode of Questlove Supreme, Boyz II Men, the record breaking, multiple award-winning, best singing group of our time, join Questlove to discuss their favorite projects, orchestra concerts, their evolving relationship with another individual, and their encounters with Prince. They also reflect on their experiences in music, express gratitude for each other, and highlight the importance of exposure to older music.

Questlove shares his journey through pandemic podcast binges, recalling how he found Open Mike Eagle's show. He highlights his candid moments during their interview, linking them to his film work and a desire to preserve stories. An infamous Diddy tale adds spice, while Questlove praises Mike as hip hop's unofficial therapist. He also reflects on the pride of seeing Mike earn critical acclaim, revealing how it reignited his feelings about reviews. Dive into the nostalgia and connection that sparked this entertaining discussion!

During the pandemic, Questlove joined Open Mike Eagle for a season of his What Had Happened Was podcast to discuss The Roots’ earliest days and their first four albums. Years later, the two creatives reunite—and discover just how much they have in common—to talk about Mike’s career and latest album, Neighborhood Gods Unlimited. The conversation gradually takes a turn, morphing into something that feels part What Had Happened Was, part free-flowing exchange about life, art, trauma, and the real-time building of a genuine friendship between two like-minded creatives bonded by nostalgia, pop culture, and a commitment to diversifying talent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus mini episode of The Questlove Show, Ahmir takes listeners through over a dozen of his favorite Christmas songs. From personal holiday memories to beloved classics from legendary artists and music innovators—plus a few modern favorites—it’s a festive deep dive into seasonal sounds. Happy holidays from Ahmir and the team at The Questlove Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.