The Questlove Show
by iHeartPodcasts
The Questlove Show builds on the award-winning Questlove Supreme podcast, bringing listeners into intimate, one-on-one conversations with peers, influences, and friends. Hosted by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, each episode uncovers the unexpected — from morning rituals and hidden talents to the art and experiences that shaped a guest’s journey. Sometimes playful, sometimes profound, always curious, QLS offers rare insight into leaders in music, film, television, comedy, literature, mental health, and beyond. It’s a fresh, unpredictable spin from a trusted source — a place where randomness is encouraged, tangents are welcomed, and conversations are anything but ordinary.
Episodes
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Lenny Kaye
Before the Ramones and the Sex Pistols, Lenny Kaye was clerking at Village Oldies on Bleecker Street. In 1972, he compiled Nuggets—and its liner notes helped shape the emerging idea of Punk Rock. Questlove and Lenny nerd out as fellow record obsessives, swapping stories about organizing vinyl,...
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QLS Classic: George Clinton Part 2
In 2020, Questlove Supreme landed a bucket-list interview with the Funk captain himself, the legendary George Clinton. This episode hits all the topics you thought we missed and asks the questions you’ve been waiting to get answered. From Zapp to Prince and everything in between, ensure you...
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A Reaction To The E-40 Episode of The Questlove Show
Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpack E-40’s conversation on The Questlove Show. They get into how E-40 has kept writing new chapters—and inventing new styles—for nearly 40 years; what independence really means; and why “lyricist” can come with an unfair bias. Plus, E-40 credited one MC with...
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Nat Adderley Jr.
For Nat Adderley Jr., serving as Luther Vandross’ musical director and longtime pianist was one chapter in a remarkable musical life—and a partnership that helped shape the sound of modern R&B. In conversation with Questlove, Nat looks back on making “Never Too Much,” flying in from Houston to…
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QLS Classic: George Clinton Part 1
In 2020, Team Supreme was blessed with an extensive conversation with George Clinton of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective. This two-part conversation features deep-dive discussion and the kinds of questions listeners will only find at Questlove Supreme. Check out part ONE of our George Clinton...
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A Reaction To The Vince Staples Episode Of The Questlove Show
Open Mike Eagle and producer Cousin Jake react to the Vince Staples episode of the Questlove Show, which has quickly become one of the biggest videos on the QLS YouTube channel. The two unpack Vince's candor and persona, even as it applies to the Internet commentary when he stated he doesn't have…
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The Womack Sisters
The Questlove Show breaks from its usual one-on-one format to welcome Zeimani, Kucha, and BG—The Womack Sisters. Granddaughters of Sam Cooke and daughters of soul duo Womack & Womack, they released a self-titled album on Daptone that’s among Questlove’s favorite records of 2026. The sisters talk...
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QLS Classic: Dr. Mathew Knowles
In last month’s QLS Reunion Finale, Questlove named the 2021 conversation with Dr. Mathew Knowles as one of the podcast’s most meaningful. So let's revisit it. You may think you know the story of this Alabama native who rose above segregation to thrive in corporate America and later as a…
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Corinne Bailey Rae Backstage At The Roots Picnic
Questlove catches up with the one and only Corinne Bailey Rae backstage at the 2026 Roots Picnic in Philly for a quick, casual bonus beat episode. Corinne—who guested on Questlove Supreme in 2024—talks about going back to her debut album 20 years later. She explains why she's stretching those…
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John Carpenter
Questlove sat down with director and composer John Carpenter in Hollywood to discuss Cathedral, a graphic novel and heavy metal album inspired by a single dream. Carpenter tells how a bongo lesson from his father led to the iconic Halloween theme. He also talks about casting Kurt Russell after...
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QLS Classic: Deniece Williams
In early 2022, Questlove and Team Supreme spoke to one of the most beautiful voices in all of music — Deniece Williams. She recalls her working with Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind & Fire, before breaking out into a Grammy-winning solo career that has spanned decades and multiple genres. Hear the...
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A Quick Salute To 30 Years Of DJ Shadow's Endtroducing
The Questlove Show hoped to record an episode with DJ Shadow while he was on the East Coast for the 30th-anniversary tour of Endtroducing….., but scheduling didn’t work out this time. Instead, Open Mike Eagle—who is performing on some of Shadow’s current tour dates—and Cousin Jake celebrate...
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Introducing Before The Moment with Nile Rodgers
Join legendary producer and musician Nile Rodgers as he travels across the country in his Lincoln Navigator® SUV, sitting down with some of music's biggest names to uncover the turning points that defined them. Experience Before the Moment: A Lincoln Original Series on the iHeartRadio App…
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E-40
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...
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QLS Classic : Joan Jett
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...
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QLS Mini: Stanley Clarke on His New Album, Book, Electric Lady & More
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…
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Kevin Parker of Tame Impala
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...
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QLS Classic: The Family Stand Part 2
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…
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Arthur Baker Part 2
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...
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QLS Classic: The Family Stand Part 1
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...
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Wallo267 Part 2
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...
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QLS Classic: Danyel Smith
In 2022, while promoting her latest book Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop, acclaimed music journalist and author Danyel Smith joined Questlove Supreme for an episode. She spoke with Questlove and Team Supreme about the book, her years leading VIBE magazine, and her...
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A Reaction To The Joe Kay / Soulection Episode Of The Questlove Show
Following the Roots Picnic backstage conversation between Soulection founder Joe Kay and Questlove, Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpack the discussion and its broader significance. They trace L.A.’s beat scene from the Good Life Café through Sketchbook and Low End Theory, and examine Joe’s...
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Wallo267 Part 1
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…
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QLS Classic: Bob James
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...
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A Reaction To The Maseo Episode Of The Questlove Show
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…
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Vince Staples
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...
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QLS Classic: Jean Carne
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…
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Philly Cheesesteaks & Escape Rooms — A Rabbit-Hole Mailbag Edition
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...
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Joe Kay of Soulection
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...
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QLS Classic: Carlos Santana
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...
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A Reaction To The Kurt Loder Episode Of The Questlove Show
In this QLS Mini, Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake briefly unpack their stress soundtracks, from comfort spins like XTC and R.E.M. to the way MTV and MTV News quietly raised a generation. Using their recent Kurt Loder Questlove Show interview as a springboard, they revisit formative moments like…
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JoJo
Questlove and JoJo are NOT close friends. They aren’t—or at least, that’s how they approached this conversation: two pals from different genres and generations who have bonded in recent years, sitting down to see what else they might have in common. For The Questlove Show, the two get into JoJo’s...
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QLS Classic: Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Hornsby joined Questlove Supreme in 2020 for a deep-dive that went way beyond “The Way It Is,” tracing his late-blooming journey from Virginia jock to conservatory-trained improviser to unlikely pop star. Bruce broke down how playing with The Grateful Dead rewired his approach to live...
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A Reaction To The DJ Muggs Episode Of The Questlove Show
In this Questlove Show mini episode, Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpack their recent sit-down with legendary producer DJ Muggs. They explore Muggs’ evolution from boom-bap architect to self-mastered, independent creator who—as he told Ahmir—built his own musical universe. The conversation…
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Maseo of De La Soul
De La Soul’s Maseo sits down with Questlove for an unfiltered deep dive into his Hip-Hop journey, his approach to deejaying, and the making of a true original. From volatile days in Brooklyn and Long Island to early block parties and the creation of classics like “Me Myself and I,” “Afro...
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QLS Classic: Seth Rogen
Back in late 2019, Seth Rogen joined Questlove Supreme in-studio to trace his journey from Vancouver teen comic and Superbad writer to Hollywood multi-hyphenate, unpacking weed culture, comedy craft, and the struggles and rewards of making big, risky movies.
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DJ Cash Money Backstage At The Roots Picnic
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...
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Eric Benét
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,”…
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QLS Classic: The Avalanches
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…
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Questlove Reaches Into The Mailbag & Answers - August 6
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...
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Kurt Loder
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…
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QLS Classic: John Densmore
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...
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Questlove & Open Mike Eagle Talk About Soundtracks
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...
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DJ Muggs
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…
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QLS Classic: DJ Drama Part 2
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,...
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Setting The Record Straight: A Convo With The Creator of MF DOOM's Mask
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...
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Barry Manilow
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…
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Introducing: DISGRACELAND
Hello, Questlove Listeners! We want to share a new show you might enjoy, it’s DISGRACELAND!!! About the Show: You know the myths. You’ve seen the biopics. But if you’re the kind of music fan who craves the rest of the story—the stuff they buried or cleaned up for streaming and theaters—this is…
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QLS Classic: DJ Drama Part 1
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...
About this show
The Questlove Show builds on the award-winning Questlove Supreme podcast, bringing listeners into intimate, one-on-one conversations with peers, influences, and friends. Hosted by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, each episode uncovers the unexpected — from morning rituals and hidden talents to the art and experiences that shaped a guest’s journey. Sometimes playful, sometimes profound, always curious, QLS offers rare insight into leaders in music, film, television, comedy, literature, mental health, and beyond. It’s a fresh, unpredictable spin from a trusted source — a place where randomness is encouraged, tangents are welcomed, and conversations are anything but ordinary.
Hosted by
iHeartPodcasts