QLS Classic: The Emotions

Thundercat joins Questlove for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation that traces his journey from Compton and church gigs to global stages with Flying Lotus, Mac Miller, and beyond. He breaks down the spiritual impact of MF DOOM, how mentors like Dazz Band affiliate Reggie Andrews and his musician parents shaped his ear. Thundercat reflects on surviving LA’s realities, finding creative family with Kamasi Washington and crew, and the role comics, anime, and Disneyland played in building his singular universe. He and Questlove compare Jazz upbringings, talk bass gods (Stanley vs. Jaco), grief and growth after losing collaborators, and the daily work of staying present in a chaotic world. Thundercat's newest album, Distracted, is out now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questlove Supreme's celebration of Black Music Month continues with an classic David Porter interview. David is a true architect of the Memphis sound. Isaac Hayes's longtime writing and production partner tells Team Supreme about making hits with Sam & Dave, The Bar-Kays, Carla Thomas, and more. A longtime Stax Records artist, producer, songwriter, and executive, David Porter also recalls the label's glory days and its downfall and talks about his songs which have become sample staples. This interview first broadcast in 2023.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Black Music Month QLS Classic, Grammy Award-winning vocal group The Emotions talk about their unusually early musical start, how hip hop reinvigorated their career and the deep influence of their family on everything they do.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questlove sits down with Open Mike Eagle in-studio for a candid mini-conversation about aging in Hip-Hop, grief, and learning to accept flowers without guilt. Ahmir opens up about losing collaborators (and friends), navigating therapy, and trying to define what The Roots should sound like in 2026 without their longtime mentor Richard Nichols. They break down the tension between survival and artistry in Black music, what it means to grow with a group for nearly 40 years, and why so many artists struggle to feel they “deserve” love and acclaim. Open Mike shares his own challenges working in a three-MC crew (Previous Industries) and maintaining friendships intact when the music does not always pay the bills. It’s a rare, vulnerable look at midlife, creativity, and the business of staying human while staying dope.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Austin rocker and axman, Gary Clark Jr., brings blues-rock center stage in 2019 as he joins Team Supreme to talk about his journey from booking gigs at 14, to collaborating with The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton and his new album, "This Land." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.