The Questlove Show

One of the greatest guitarists of all time, Johnny Marr, joins Questlove Supreme to talk about his playing style and extensive career. The Roots' Captain Kirk Douglas joins the conversation as a special guest co-host. Marr speaks about growing up in Manchester, England, and co-founding The Smiths. He touches on his time with Modest Mouse and The Pretenders, giving away famous guitars and being emb...

Singer-Songwriter Darius Rucker talks about Hootie & the Blowfish, going from playing frat parties with Dave Matthews to The Grand Ole Opry as a solo artist and the obstacles he faced along the way. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Past QLS guests Common and Pete Rock return to the podcast together to celebrate their new album, "The Auditorium, Vol. 1." Common explains how a recent freestyle and a series of Hip-Hop 50th anniversary events reignited his passion for music-making, while Pete Rock reveals that even if the address has changed his basement studio remains an epicenter for creation. Questlove, who sequenced the new...

Nicolay joins Phonte as The Foreign Exchange to speak with Team Supreme in-studio. This conversation celebrates the 20th anniversary of F.E.'s beloved debut album Connected and the 25th anniversary of OkayPlayer, where this duo first met and formed. The special discussion revisits the message board days and reveals why Nicolay and Phontigallo still honor their original formula. The episode also fo...

Jazz musician, songwriter and co-founder of A&M records Herb Alpert talks about the art of the trumpet, writing hits with Sam Cooke, the secret to outselling The Beatles and how he really feels about getting sampled by Biggie. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last year, The Roots' Questlove and Ray Angry made an album with today's guest — Jazz legend David Murray. David is a veteran saxophonist and a longtime leader within the Free Jazz movement. In this episode, taped in-studio, David explains why freedom in music reflects freedom in life. He recalls highlights of a 55-plus-year journey with intersections with a who's who of Jazz, as well as Sl...

In Part 2 of Questlove's one-on-one interview with Sananda Maitreya, the esteemed guest details his personal and professional transformation. The creator of this year's The Pegasus Project: Pegasus & The Swan highlights some songs from the album, including "Walk On" with Jellybean Johnson. The post-millennium rocker also speaks about making his home in Milan, Italy, an affinity for Jean-Michel...

In a special one-on-one conversation with Questlove, Sananda Maitreya discusses his early days. This conversation includes praise for Stevie Wonder as well as crediting Rod Stewart for his trademark rasp. Sananda speaks about time in Harlem and his ambitions as a boxer. Sananda also talks about performing at the 1988 Grammy Awards, with Michael Jackson, Prince, and Smokey Robinson watching from th...

Class is in session! Questlove Supreme prides itself on bringing you stories from masters of their craft. George Faison's story derives from a time that established and birthed the beauty of diverse Black dance and dancers to provide the foundation for what we see on the world's stage, film, and music videos today. Dancing has remained at the epicenter of his career, but Mr. Faison is also an acto...

American jazz virtuoso and bassist Christian McBride talks about playing with Miles Davis as a high schooler, the "ins and outs" of his craft and how he got himself all tangled up in James Brown's world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gospel/R&B giant BeBe Winans joins QLS to talk about his 40-plus-year career in music, film, and theater. BeBe details coming from one of the greatest and most voluminous musical families, and breaking off to build a duo with his sister CeCe Winans. The singer-songwriter also describes his friendships with Whitney Houston, Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, and Jim Bakker and Tami Faye Bakker....

No stone goes unturned in this classic episode; Stephanie Ruhle, MSNBC News Anchor, talks about her transition from Wall Street to News Anchor, and shares her views on complicated issues from the 2011 financial crisis, to free speech and the Me Too movement. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Benson examines his transition from a top Jazz guitarist into a highly respected vocalist. He shares the origin stories behind several 1970s hits like "Breezin" and "On Broadway" plus recalls working with Stevie Wonder, Bobby Womack, and Al Jarreau. George also discusses his newest release, a lost album with arranger Robert Farnon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A daily celebration for Black Music Month comes to a close with one of its founders. Living legend Kenny Gamble is considered one of the greatest composers, producers and music businessmen of all time. He and his partner Leon Huff literally crafted The Sound Of Philadelphia. So get ready to join him along with Questlove and Team Supreme. Class is now in session!   See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Part 2 of James Poyer's in-studio conversation with Questlove Supreme celebrates the last 30 years of Black Music. James reflects on experiences working with Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Common, and Lauryn Hill. He details the genesis of great songs from classic albums. This career lookback includes humor and some insider access. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven-time Grammy award-winning musician Philip Bailey discusses his journey from Denver’s jazz clubs to playing with Earth, Wind & Fire to the Songwriter Hall of Fame. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The master of blending reggae, funk, and soul, prolific songwriter, producer, and rapper, DJ Quik's 20-plus year spanning career has been anything but ordinary.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Black Music Month QLS Classic, singer-songwriter Solange talks about what it takes to be a strong Black woman today, the making of her new album and just what it is she loves so much about New Orleans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Black Music Month, let us revisit when Hip Hop (and more) producer Just Blaze shared some of his recording secrets and talks about everything from the Jazz great who still prank-calls him to what it was like showing up in New York City with $40 in his pocket.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legendary radio DJ and television VJ Donnie "Green Eyes" Simpson spoke about getting into radio at 15, breaking some of the biggest artists and songs of his time and the key to success: being true to yourself.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questlove Supreme's Black Music Month programming continues with a special interview with James Poyser. In Part 1, the incredible musician, producer, and member of The Roots retraces his steps from an English-born child of Jamaican parents to West Philadelphia. He also recalls cutting his teeth in Gospel music before ultimately getting down with DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch Of Jazz production team. Alo...

evisit this moment in time with the one and only Bobby McFerrin when he stopped by to talk about his unique journey in music. We also spoke with his daughter, singer Madison McFerrin, who was on her rise to become a powerful force in music—which she most certainly now is.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Black Music Month, travel back to this beloved episode when R&B legend Jeffrey Osborne told Questlove Supreme tales of drumming on Soul Train, touring with The Jacksons, and flying high...On The Wings of Love. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remembering the late Anita Pointer and Bonnie Pointer for Black Music Month, listen back to Questlove Supreme's special 2019 episode with The Pointer Sisters. Anita, Bonnie, and brother Fritz tell Team Supreme about growing up in San Francisco, breaking barriers in Country music, and writing a new chapter for the group during the 1980s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel back to our conversation with five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo and her down with team Supreme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.