The Questlove Show

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 do...

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...

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 an...

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 ...

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 saxoph...

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 sou...

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 tha...

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 e...

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&mdash...

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 ...

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...

Vince Staples sits down with Questlove for a rare, unflinching conversation about community, survival, and growing as an artist without losing yourself. Speaking about his latest album, Crybaby, Vince shares hard-earned truths and wisdom from his life, cutting through myth and memory with his trademark clarity and dark humor.

The two artists explore happiness, death, faith, hobbies, and the music industry’s shifting gaze on B...

As part of 2023's Jazz Appreciation Month, the incomparable Jean Carne joined Questlove Supreme. She reflected on her Atlanta upbringing and growing up around figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as creating Spiritual Jazz in the early 1970s with her former husband, Doug Carn. Jean also shared stories from working with Earth, Wind & Fire, Phyllis Hyman, and Norman Connors—and recalls providing valuable vocal g...

Questlove and Cousin Jake field some deceptively simple mailbag questions about cheesesteaks and cereal. Ahmir breaks down his fiercely loyal cheesesteak habits, giving way to tempting side quests about ketchup etiquette and Ultramagnetic MC’s memorabilia on South Street.

The Q&A then pivots to music nerdery, with Ahmir naming his all-time favorite live album and dissecting what makes a live recording sonically “per...

Questlove sits down with Soulection founder Joe Kay live backstage at the 2026 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia. The conversation traces the origins of a global movement that grew from zip files and SoundCloud posts into a worldwide community. Joe reflects on his earliest musical memories—from family deep cuts and white-label promos to discovering J Dilla—and how those influences helped shape the unmistakable Soulection sou...

Questlove and Team Supreme sat down with the legendary Carlos Santana in late 2021 for a wide‑ranging conversation on spirituality, music, and a lifetime of artistic risk-taking. Santana breaks down his morning gratitude ritual, his concept of grace, and how John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, and African rhythms shaped his sound from Caravanserai through his 1970s catalog.

He revisits his journey from Autlán, Tijuana, and the Bay Area ...