Podcast · Music

The Questlove Show

by iHeartPodcasts · English · Music

New episodes: Several times a week
Typical length: 1 hr 17 min
Latest: 5 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026 · 56 minNew

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 shack he later bought, the more than 1,000 voice memos labeled “this will change my life,” and why he devotes 90% of his time to drum sounds. He also unpacks the idea behind Tame Impala's latest, Deadbeat , the feeling of always being on the outside—no matter how…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

4 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 20 min

QLS Classic: The Family Stand Part 2

Sandra, Peter and Jeff return to talk about record label drama, a shelved solo album, Rick James, the Black Rock Coalition and so much more!!!!
S7 · E18 · 28 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 35 min

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 Synclavier sessions for Hall & Oates’ Big Bam Boom , the clubs and DJs who shaped his sound, and the Brooklyn studio sessions that led to what he jokingly calls “New Arthur” records with New Order. He also opens up about Streetwise Records,…
27 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 21 min

QLS Classic: The Family Stand Part 1

Best known for their early 90’s international hit single “Ghetto Heaven,” the trio of Sandra St. Victor, Peter Lord and V. Jeffrey Smith tell their story of coming up as musicians and songwriters in the 80s and more!
S7 · E17 · 21 Sep 2026 · 47 min

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 him home from prison. The result is raw, funny, and—as Questlove admits—the most public intervention he’s ever received. Wallo's latest book, Yes To You, No To Them is available now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 46 min

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 experiences writing about Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, and Arrested Development. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E14 · 19 Sep 2026 · 22 min

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 thoughts on Stones Throw Records’ early influence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E16 · 14 Sep 2026 · 53 min

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, motivator, and music lover looks back on his journey—one that began just across town from Questlove’s—and how misinformation led him into life-changing circumstances. The two men compare notes on life and discuss how, after a quarter century behind bars, Wallo has spent the…
S4 · E12 · 13 Sep 2026 · 2 hr 5 min

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 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 such as RZA, Talib Kweli, and, yes, still, Questlove. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E12 · 13 Sep 2026 · 25 min

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 music isn’t right. Along the way, they point out connections De La Soul to Bushwick Bill, Geto Boys, and ’80s Rap lore, and sit with Maseo’s vulnerability around loss, legacy, and the unseen work behind great performances. The duo also riff on the quiet comeback of CDs as…
S7 · E15 · 7 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 38 min

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 trademark clarity and dark humor. The two artists explore happiness, death, faith, hobbies, and the music industry’s shifting gaze on Black artists—while tracing Vince’s journey from riding the bus to Hollywood studios to becoming one of music's sharpest minds. See…
S4 · E14 · 6 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 58 min

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 also shared stories from working with Earth, Wind & Fire, Phyllis Hyman, and Norman Connors—and recalls providing valuable vocal guidance to a teenage Michael Jackson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · 4 Sep 2026 · 28 min

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 music nerdery, with Ahmir naming his all-time favorite live album and dissecting what makes a live recording sonically “perfect.” He also shares the story of his first time onstage with his parents’ band as a kid. Along the way, the conversation hits bygone Philly landmarks, 2…
S7 · E14 · 31 Aug 2026 · 55 min

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 deep cuts and white-label promos to discovering J Dilla—and how those influences helped shape the unmistakable Soulection sound. He and Questlove dig into the craft of DJing, from set architecture and “go-to” records to reading the room and balancing nostalgia with discovery.…
30 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 45 min

QLS Classic: Carlos Santana

The truly miraculous Carlos Santana shares his history, inspirations and his soul with Quest
S7 · E10 · 30 Aug 2026 · 25 min

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 the Kurt Cobain and Tupac reports, the Real World era, and how Loder became a kind of Gen X Walter Cronkite. The conversation tracks how we used to “lean back” and receive culture versus today’s hyper-controlled feeds, while celebrating the dignity and care MTV News brought to…
S7 · E13 · 24 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 44 min

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 evolution from teen prodigy to Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist—songwriting camps, vocal discipline, Broadway chops, creative blocks, and what it means to define success on your own terms. JoJo also gets real about periods of feeling low, her family, and why…
23 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 33 min

QLS Classic: Bruce Hornsby

This week on Questlove Supreme mega talented, multiple award winning singer songwriter, composer and pianist Bruce Hornsby shares his story.
S7 · E9 · 21 Aug 2026 · 24 min

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 digs into the so-called “drumless” beats wave, how lowering drums in the mix opens new space for MCs, and what artistic maturity and freedom really look like after decades in the game. Along the way, the two QLS affliates touch on some highlights and key points from the…
S7 · E12 · 17 Aug 2026 · 2 hr 14 min

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 Connections,” and the epic “Cool Breeze on the Rocks” splice session, Mase breaks down the art, risk, and innovation behind De La’s catalog. He explains how a skipping record sparked a 20-minute freestyle, how an eight-second guitar pedal became his first…
16 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 37 min

QLS Classic: Seth Rogen

Questlove and Team Supreme kick off a new year in high spirits by getting to know special guest Seth Rogen.
S7 · 14 Aug 2026 · 27 min

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 Grandmaster Nell and Cosmic Kev at Hotel Philadelphia to the birth of the Transformer scratch at Central High—breaking down how Philly quietly rewrote the rules of the DJ. Cash also traces his own evolution from house party selector to technical innovator, inspired by Latin Rascals…
S7 · E11 · 10 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 57 min

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,” his Alabama and Mobile roots, and how discovering Questlove’s own lineage story reshaped the way he thinks about ancestry, Haiti, and spirituality. The two dig into Prince vs. Michael Jackson, a legendary James Brown clip, and what it really meant to grow up in…
9 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

QLS Classic: The Avalanches

The Avalanches' debut album Since I Left You, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, not only "cracked our skulls open", it's also one of Quest's "top 10 albums of ALL time"
S7 · 6 Aug 2026 · 21 min

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 Hip-Hop's dark, dusty psychedelic sound. He also unpacks the backstory behind Phrenology 's "roll call" segment, explaining how a reclaimed Slum Village beat, Ursula Rucker, and an exhaustive Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists inspired Justin Warfield's memorable closing shout-out. Elsewhere, Quest reflects on…
S7 · E10 · 3 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 9 min

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 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 about writing Rolling Stone 's first major Rap review, chronicling Tina Turner's life and remarkable comeback in book form, and navigating the ethics, responsibility,…
2 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

QLS Classic: John Densmore

This week's episode of Questlove Supreme pairs Quest and Team Supreme with Rock and Roll royalty, hall of famer and legendary Doors drummer, John Densmore.
S7 · 31 Jul 2026 · 21 min

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 compilation-album era to today’s catalog-buyout climate. Along the way, the two also revisit the quietly stacked High School High Soundtrack , The Roots’ role in it, and a fateful night linking D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, The Fugees, and Marvin Gaye’s storied studio. Ahmir and…
S7 · E9 · 27 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 17 min

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 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 discusses his latest collaboration, Don't Call Me Lucky , with Los Angeles lyricist TF, mentoring The Alchemist, and why today's drumless, loop-driven renaissance feels…
S3 · E45 · 26 Jul 2026 · 58 min

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, launching Generation Now and helping usher artists like Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow to stardom. Drama also shares with Questlove how The Roots influenced his journey, reflecting on the relationships, resilience, and vision that transformed one of hip-hop's most defining setbacks into an enduring legacy.…

About The Questlove 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.

The Questlove Show is a English music podcast from iHeartPodcasts. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: iHeartPodcasts
Language: English
Category: Music
New episodes: Several times a week
Typical length: 1 hr 17 min
Latest episode: 5 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1485250501

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