QLS Classic: Tessa Thompson

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis join The Questlove Show in-studio to discuss their upcoming April Las Vegas residency, along with key milestones from their extraordinary career. The legendary duo unpacks the dynamics of their decades-long creative partnership, both in and out of the studio. They revisit sessions with Janet Jackson, Usher, Mary J. Blige, The Isley Brothers, and Barry White, offering insight into the moments behind some of their most iconic work. Along the way, Jam and Lewis reveal which hip-hop star they once crafted a batch of tracks for, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee they championed, and their perspective on current events in the Twin Cities. A bucket-list conversation for Questlove, the episode is driven by deep mutual respect, admiration, and the kind of chemistry that only comes with true musical brotherhood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this mini-episode of The Questlove Show, Questlove dives into the rules (and risks) of “TV monogamy,” from a breakup sparked by secret binge-watching to how episode “hall passes” can save relationships. Questlove also talks about TV as constant background “aquarium,” his accidental reality TV rabbit hole, and why one cult classic TV show (that only lasted a single season) quietly reshaped The Roots’ jam-band approach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this mini episode of The Questlove Show, Questlove talks with producer "Cousin Jake" in a salute to Sinners, and revisits his early-season conversation with (now Oscar-winning) cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, exploring how 70mm projection, sound, lighting, and film stock shape his emotional connection to movies. He breaks down his knack for spotting award-worthy performances and explains why he’s now deeply invested in everyone involved with Sinners. The mini closes with a detour into the Blues genre, D'Angelo, and B.B. King’s Live at Cook County Jail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Questlove as he sits down with friend Padma Lakshmi for a funny, sharp, and intimate conversation on food, culture, and reinvention. Padma revisits her New York City childhood, makes the case for Queens as the city’s true food capital, and shares her ultimate snack kryptonites. She also opens up about stepping away from a show she helped build into a powerhouse to launch America’s Culinary Cup from the ground up—and why she’s fully in her “zero effs” era.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Lee Curtis sits down with Questlove for an intimate, funny, and deeply motivating conversation about unlocking your greatness. With her signature candor, Jamie reflects on learning to stop shrinking herself and fully embrace her power—and how a recent connection with Quest helped her see that vision more clearly. In this wide-ranging chat, Jamie shares how she likes to be coached, the surprising lessons she’s learned from her dog, and why she refuses to dwell on the comments. As she prepares for her latest endeavor, Scarpetta, Jamie also opens up about the creative freedom behind projects like Everything Everywhere All at Once, True Lies, A Fish Called Wanda, and The Bear—and what those experiences taught her about trusting the process and owning your voice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this mailbag mini-episode, Questlove answers listener questions on James Brown’s polarizing late-period track “Deep in It” and why he loves the so-called “mustache era” of JB. Quest' gives practical advice to an aspiring collaborator in Spain, talking busking, community-building, and creative ways to find like-minded musicians offline. He weighs in on the rise of listening bars and vinyl-centric spaces. Finally, he goes deep on his favorite snare drums, and discusses some of the kits from his own historic drum collection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The QLS family lost a great friend, supporter, and one of music's greatest ears in the passing of Bob Power. In a small mini episode, Questlove reflects on Bob, who appeared on the second episode of Questlove Supreme back in 2016. He credits as one of hip hop’s greatest advocates and a defining force in boom-bap. He recalls how Bob’s work with De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest helped inspire and shape the sound of The Roots, comparing Bob’s role to George Martin’s with The Beatles. Questlove shares stories about Bob’s meticulous studio approach—mixing quietly and balancing clarity with gritty texture. Quest' also touches on recent collaboration with Bob, a funny phone call in the past, and more. The Bob Power episode of Questlove Supreme has been posted atop the feed. Bob Power forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Baz Luhrmann joins Questlove to trace his journey from a rural Australian kid running a roadside radio station to the visionary behind Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, and The Great Gatsby. He breaks down his signature style of fusing modern music with classic stories, the chaos and cultural impact of Romeo + Juliet, and collaborations with artists like Radiohead, Elton John, David Bowie, JAY-Z, and Missy Elliott. Baz also discusses the new concert film EPIC (Elvis Presley In Concert), built from newly uncovered rehearsal and performance footage from a pivotal moment in Elvis Presley’s career. Along the way, he reflects on his approach to building immersive creative worlds—and why Elvis’s life and music now sit at the center of two of his most ambitious projects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questlove answers Questlove Show listener letters in a candid mini-episode that spans grief, legacy, and the weight of influence. Responding to a fan whose “musical Mount Rushmore” includes several late legends in Ahmir's orbit, he reflects on losing collaborators. Quest also revisits the rise and evolution of Okayplayer, teases liner notes and treats for the next Roots projects, and addresses the fate of his lockdown DJ sets and whether they might return online. Please send your questions by the contact us page on QuestloveSupreme.com or DM'ing the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Questlove Show mini “mailbag” episode features Ahmir responding to listener questions about underappreciated (and groundbreaking) Philly Hip-Hop group The Goats, his creative process and wild story behind crafting the music-driven opening montage for the SNL 50 documentary, and a deep-dive on The Jacksons’ This Place Hotel (Heartbreak Hotel), including why he sees Michael Jackson as an early influence on Gangsta Rap themes, and reveals he made his own private mix of The Jacksons' Triumph. You can submit questions by direct messaging on IG and Facebook, or through the contact-us portal at QuestloveSupreme.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.