The Questlove Show

The LEGENDARY DJ Cash Money joins Questlove live from the 2026 Roots Picnic at Philadelphia’s historic Belmont Plateau for a mini masterclass on the city’s turntablism legacy. A renowned turntable wizard, collector, and beacon of Philly Hip-Hop history, Cash traces the city’s evolution from Grandmaster Nell and Cosmic Kev at Hotel Philadelphia to the birth of the Transformer scra...

Questlove sits down with R&B icon Eric Benét for a deeply human, wildly musical conversation tracing the singer’s journey from Milwaukee family harmonies to gold plaques and Grammy nominations.

Benét opens up about early sonic imprints like Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and “Wichita Lineman,” his Alabama and Mobile roots, and how discovering Questlove’s own lineage story reshaped the way he thinks abou...

According to our Questlove, Australian powerhouse The Avalanches—Robbie Chater and Tony Di Blasi—single-handedly changed his perspective on how music could be made and delivered.

Their acclaimed album, Since I Left You, not only “cracked our skulls open,” it remains one of Quest’s “top 10 albums of ALL time.” For two decades, the duo has left no stone unturned in mastering the art of buildi...

Questlove is back to answer another batch of listener questions. This mailbag edition with Ahmir and Cousin Jake dives into recent episodes while revisiting classic Roots and Dilla history. Quest' clarifies a detail from the recent DJ Muggs episode, agreeing that Muggs essentially pioneered Hip-Hop's dark, dusty psychedelic sound. He also unpacks the backstory behind Phrenology's "roll call" segment, explaining how a reclaimed Slum...

Legendary music journalist and MTV News icon Kurt Loder joins Questlove in the studio for a deep dive into the evolution of rock criticism, music journalism, and pop culture. Loder traces his journey from his early days covering Janis Joplin and Captain Beefheart to his era-defining work at Rolling Stone and MTV News, sharing firsthand memories of punk at CBGB, Prince, and the rise of Hip-Hop into the mainstream.

Kurt opens up abou...

In early 2021, Questlove and Team Supreme sat down with The Doors' John Densmore for a revealing, fun, and spirited conversation. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer reflects on the 1960s Los Angeles scene that gave rise to his legendary band, discusses sharing songwriting credits, and explains why The Doors resisted the temptation to recruit a high-profile new singer after the loss of Jim Morrison.

Densmore, who recently rele...

In this mini-episode, Questlove and Open Mike Eagle dig into the real economics behind movie soundtracks and sync licensing. Sparked by a listener question about Saturday Night Fever and Rick Dees’ “Disco Duck,” they break down how fees, royalties, and leverage have shifted from the compilation-album era to today’s catalog-buyout climate. Along the way, the two also revisit the quietly stacked High School Hi...

DJ Muggs and Questlove link up in Hollywood, California for a deep dive into the creative vision that made Cypress Hill one of Hip-Hop's most groundbreaking acts. From SP-1200 grit and Psychedelic textures to Rock-infused boom bap, Muggs traces his journey from Queens to Bell Gardens, revisits the making of classics like "How I Could Just Kill a Man," "Hand On The Pump," and House Of Pain's "Jump Around." Along the way, he discusse...

In Part 2 of DJ Drama's classic Questlove Supreme interview from late 2022, the Grammy Award-winning DJ, producer, and music executive reflects on the 2007 FBI raid that sought to shut down his groundbreaking mixtape empire. History tells a different story: rather than fold, Drama adapted, launching Generation Now and helping usher artists like Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow to stardom.

Drama also shares with Questlove how The Roots ...

During the recent Thundercat episode of The Questlove Show, the creation of MF DOOM's iconic mask was misattributed. After QLS past guests (shout out to Dante Ross), friends of the show, and our legions of dedicated listeners called out the mistake, The Questlove Show is proud to set the record straight by welcoming the mask's original and sole creator, KEO—a longtime friend, collaborator, and creative partner of DOOM.

I...

Barry Manilow pulls up to The Questlove Show for a rare, career-spanning conversation that begins with humble reflections on Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and ends with Hall of Fame accolades, classic jingles, and a recent victory over cancer. Ahmir and Barry trace his path from CBS mailroom kid to music director, arranger, and reluctant frontman who never saw himself as a singer. Manilow breaks down the craft of writing immortal ad hook...

Back in 2022, Questlove and Team Supreme hit Atlanta, where they checked in with old pal DJ Drama. Fittingly, in Part 1, Drama revisits his Philly roots and shares some overlapping histories with several of the QLS hosts. The Gangsta Grillz creator recalls growing up in the 2-1-5, making pivotal Hip-Hop mixtapes as a B-Boy, and taking his talents to Atlanta to pursue a dream and an education. In Part 1, he reveals how that journey ...

The mini-episode features Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpacking the recently released Questlove Show interview with Riz Ahmed. Beginning with a behind-the-scenes look at how the virtual conversation came together—amid travel, press days, and technical echo issues—they explore Riz's deep roots as a Hip Hop head, dating back to the Rawkus Records a...

Oscar and Emmy winner Riz Ahmed sits down with Questlove for a personal conversation that spans music, art, identity, and purpose. Bonding over a lifelong love of music (especially Hip-Hop), the two reflect on the moments that have defined their careers. Riz also shares the inspiration behind recent projects, including the new series Bait and his bold interpretation of Hamlet. This episode captures an authentic exchange between two...

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...

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...

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 expl...