Questlove Supreme

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 the front row, revealing some extra detail about that set.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 actor, director, composer, producer, essayist, playwright, and writer who is the first Black choreographer to earn a Tony Award for the original Broadway production of The Wiz. How did that lead him to work with legends like Aretha, Stevie, EWF, and Ashford & Simpson? Listen up!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. This conversation has some memorable stories, powerful wisdom, and much more.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.

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.

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. Along the way, James remembers meeting Ahmir and making a line-skipping series of cameos on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of Wayne Brady's in-studio conversation with Questlove Supreme, the world-class entertainer speaks about what his cameo on Chappelle's Show did for his career and image. Wayne also talks about working on a game show, his love of music, spending free time, and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a book only Questlove could have written: a perceptive and personal reflection on the first half-century of hip-hop. When hip-hop first emerged in the 1970s, it wasn’t expected to become the cultural force it is today. But for a young Black kid growing up in a musical family in Philadelphia, it was everything. He stayed up late to hear the newest songs on the radio. He saved his money to buy vinyl as soon as it landed. He even started to try to make his own songs. That kid was Questlove, and decades later, he is a six-time Grammy Award–winning musician, an Academy Award–winning filmmaker, a New York Times bestselling author, a producer, an entrepreneur, a cofounder of one of hip-hop’s defining acts (the Roots), and the genre’s unofficial in-house historian. In this landmark book, Hip-Hop Is History, Questlove skillfully traces the creative and cultural forces that made and shaped hip-hop, highlighting both the forgotten but influential gems and the undeniable chart-topping hits—and weaves it all together with the stories no one else knows. It is at once an intimate, sharply observed story of a cultural revolution and a sweeping, grand theory of the evolution of the great artistic movement of our time. And Questlove, of course, approaches it with not only the encyclopedic fluency and passion of an obsessive fan but also the expertise and originality of an innovative participant.  Hip-hop is history, and also his history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wayne Brady drops by Questlove Supreme in the studio for an epic two-part interview. In Part 1, Wayne looks back at his upbringing and foray into entertainment. Wayne is charismatic, funny, and still incredibly real as he revisits his journey from Florida to becoming a household name across television, music, comedy, and Broadway. This interview also features some basic get-to-know-somebody questions that lead to deeper answers than expected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the world may have been introduced to her as Willow Smith, the artist now known as WILLOW is actively transforming into her most authentic self. In a one-on-one, in-studio interview with Questlove, WILLOW describes the growth in her music, the drive in her spirit, and the key parts of the journey along the way. This interview celebrates WILLOW's new album "empathogen" and surrounds it with wisdom about creativity, fame, and perception.  Photograph by Christian GermosoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weezer's Rivers Cuomo and Patrick Wilson visit QLS in the studio. Ahead of its 30th anniversary Weezer reflects on its famed debut, the blue album. Patrick and Rivers describe their own upbringings, the earliest days of Weezer, and how The Cars' Ric Ocasek was the perfect producer. This conversation between peers shows some intersectional histories and creates a few laughs too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part 2 of Adam Levine's sitdown with Questlove Supreme features some backstories on Maroon 5 hits and his work with Kanye West. In step with Maroon 5's Las Vegas residency, Adam also speaks about the highs and lows of performing. Past QLS guest PJ Morton makes a surprise return as he and Adam discuss some of their most favorite albums across genres.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Levine sits down with Questlove Supreme in the studio for a spirited conversation. In Part 1, he speaks about some of the dynamics within his superstar band, Maroon 5. QLS also takes a turn for the random, as Adam reflects on his musical memories while Questlove and Team Supreme lay out some esoteric music history and debate the truth behind vocal rest. One of Adam's first-ever podcast appearances is interesting, informational, and funny.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SiR joins Questlove Supreme to share a story of tenacity, self-growth, and personal discovery. The Inglewood, California singer details his years in the wing, working with others (including Jill Scott) as an engineer, writer, and producer. However, as SiR asserted his self-worth, he soon became an in-demand artist who eventually found a lasting home at TDE. Get to know an artist whose HEAVY story matches the title of his new album. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erika Alexander continues her incredible QLS interview with a candid conversation about how executives treated Living Single as compared to other popular 1990s sitcoms. Erika also speaks about her astonishing recent run, including a dazzling role in American Fiction and memorable performances in Get Out and Wu-Tang: An American Saga. This conversation is pure joy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actress Erika Alexander joins Questlove Supreme for a special two-part interview. In the first half, Erika recalls an unusual upbringing that brought her from a childhood in a motel room along Route 66 to the city of Philadelphia. She details making a powerful impact on Camille Cosby to land a part in a beloved sitcom and how that experience prepared her for a definitive role on Living Single. Erika is an incredible storyteller who speaks with heart and draws from experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

QLS gets in the weeds with Mr. Walt and Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz. This free-flowing discussion traces the origins of a very gritty sound and frequency of 1990s Rap production. The two brothers are not above clowning one another as they recall working on Black Moon's classic debut Enta Da Stage, going crate-digging with Q-Tip, and helping to make D&D Studios a true enclave of hardcore Hip Hop. True to Da Beatminerz' name and sound, this episode digs deep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of his Questlove Supreme interview, the musician-turned-super-producer Narada Michael Walden examines the 1980s. He recalls making hits with songstresses like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Angela Bofill, and Stacy Lattisaw. One can feel the passion, experimentation, and wise intensity of a 50-plus-year legend in the game. This interview is special.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Narada Michael Walden has won "Producer Of The Year" at the Grammy Awards. Before he produced monster records for Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Whitney Houston, and others, he was a prolific drummer from Michigan with a dream. In Part 1 of his Questlove Supreme interview, Narada recalls his upbringing and influences. He details his experiences, ranging from seeing Stevie Wonder as a child and years hanging out with P-Funk's Eddie Hazel. Narada also describes his time as a member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and working with some of the most revered Jazz legends while as a disciple of Sri Chinmoy. This is a rare audience with one of Questlove's greatest inspirations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fatima Robinson is a world-class dancer and choreographer who has pivoted to directing. You know Fatima's work, from Michael Jackson's "Remember The Time" to the Emmy-winning Dr. Dre-led Superbowl Halftime Show to Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour. In a Questlove Supreme conversation, Fatima gushes with passion for dance and hip-hop as she looks back at incredible work with Aaliyah, Michael, and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few. Fatima and Ahmir also reflect on collaborating on the two televised performances celebrating Hip Hop's 50th anniversary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.