The Questlove Show

Copyright: 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

Black Music Month QLS Classic: D-Nice Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

In late 2017, DJ and New York Hip Hop legend D-Nice sat down with QLS. He opened up about Scott La Rock's life and death, how "Call Me D-Nice" could have been "Call Me Biz Markie," plus Questlove gets some juicy tales from the Latin Quarter featuring Mike Tyson, David Copperfield and more.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QLS Classic: Estelle Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

In 2020 this episode we are re-releasing as part of Black Music Month, Estelle talks about strip clubs, looking for love in Los Angeles, gives Questlove a crash course on the UK music scene, and much more. There is wisdom in this gem of an episode.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fab 5 Freddy Part 2 Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

The second half of Fab 5 Freddy's in-studio conversation with Questlove explores the enduring legacy of Wild Style and revisits key moments from Yo! MTV Raps. Fab shines a light on the unsung heroes of the graffiti movement and reveals how a botched audio recording shaped one of his film's most iconic sequences. The conversation also traces his role in bringing N.W.A to television, directing a classic video for Snoop Dogg, and helping develop a groundbreaking Chicago Rap group as an executive. Along the way, he reflects on the legacies of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, and discusses building a modern-day renaissance through art and cannabis advocacy.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QLS Classic: Kurtis Blow Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

As The Questlove Show celebrates Black Music Month, we're revisiting a classic 2019 Questlove Supreme conversation with one of hip-hop's true pioneers, Kurtis Blow. The legendary New York MC reflects on the genre's formative years, giving credit to the peers and innovators who helped build the culture from the ground up. He also breaks down his classic catalog and revisits some of the records that helped change the course of music from the late 1970s onward. It's a firsthand account of hip-hop history from one of its most influential architects.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QLS Classic: Jenifer Lewis Part 2 Jun 14, 2026

Show notes

Back in 2022, Jenifer Lewis spoke with QLS to promote her new book Walking In My Joy: In These Streets. In doing so, the actress, singer, and positive life force gives Team Supreme raw and uncut jewels of wisdom.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QLS Classic: Jenifer Lewis Part 1 Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

As The Questlove Show's celebration of Black Music Month continues, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations. Actress, author, and cultural force—and yes, songstress—Jenifer Lewis shares hard-earned wisdom from her life, career, and travels. Listen as this queen of multi-hyphenates commands the QLS stage with humor, honesty, and unforgettable stories. Questlove called this 2022 two-parter interview a Top 3-all-time guest interview, and you'll hear why.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QLS Classic: Branford Marsalis Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

In the words of Questlove our guest for this classic episode, is "a part of one of THE most important musical dynasty's in music". His touch has been pivotal to the evolution of jazz, but that's not all folks! Branford Marsalis' contributions to the culture can be seen and heard through his acting, the products of his marriage of jazz and hip hop, his barrier breaking presence as a band leader on late night television, his compositions and his scoring, including for Netflix's adaptation of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Now hear his story.....

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questlove Show Mini: An In-Studio Catch-Up Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

This mini-episode of The Questlove Show features Ahmir, Open Mike Eagle, and producer Cousin Jake reflecting on Mike’s 2025 long-form QLS conversation. Open Mike Eagle shares that he’s just finished a new album, talks about his listening habits (ranging from British bands to YouTube talk shows) and how being embedded in the industry pushes him away from rap in his leisure time. They dig into live performance philosophy—testing unreleased songs on tour, reading crowd energy without begging for participation, and the Roots’ continuous, no-song-ending show structure. The convo closes with Mike’s existing and upcoming podcasts (“What Had Happened Was,” “Past Due,” and a new, working-titled “The Album That Changed My Life”).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QLS Classic: James "JT" Taylor Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

As we celebrate Black Music Month, look back to late 2024, when James "JT" Taylor joined Questlove and Suga Steve to revisit his upbringing and two decades with Kool & The Gang. JT detailed arriving with the legendary Funk-Jazz band to help them reach new plateaus with hit songs including "Celebration," "Ladies Night," "Joanna," and more. This conversation also touched on JT's solo career at MCA Records, his ventures in film, and his recent Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction. This one is smooth and soulful—just like JT Taylor's incredible voice.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fab 5 Freddy Part 1 Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Hip-Hop visionary Fab 5 Freddy joins Questlove to trace his path from Bed-Stuy's Hancock Street to painting whole-car subway masterpieces, exhibiting in Rome, and helping bring Rap to the mainstream through Yo! MTV Raps. While discussing his new memoir, Everybody's Fly, Fred shares vivid memories of Brooklyn riots, preserving Malcolm X’s final speech on reel-to-reel tape, and even cold-calling Thelonious Monk as a kid. Freddy unpacks Brooklyn’s mobile disco scene, the origins of sound system culture, and how graffiti crews transformed subway cars into rolling art galleries. Along the way, he and Questlove swap stories about boomboxes, gritty ’70s New York, and the tapes, block parties, and community networks that laid the groundwork for Hip-Hop culture.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected