Quick Facts
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
Latest Episode
October 26, 2026 · 1h 14m
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 about growing up on tour and living in Ireland, London, Kenya, Thailand, and Paris—including how their father’s intuition helped the family get to safety ahead of the 2004 tsunami. They also discuss years of label rejections and driving for rideshare services while staying true to their sound. Along the way, there are surprises: a photo of Sam Cooke with Questlove’s mother, and Questlove’s story about a Roots show with their uncle, Bobby Womack, that went off the rails. Photograph by Rachel Kaplan for iHeart. See for privacy information.
More Episodes
Oct 26, 2026 · 2h 3m
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 powerhouse music executive—but there’s so much more. Listen in for an honest, insightful conversation on the evolution of Dr. Mathew Knowles. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 26, 2026 · 17m
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 songs out on tour so every night goes somewhere new, and how emotional it was to bring Black Rainbows and the story of Harriet Jacobs to the stage. She also walks us through her new children's book, Put Your Records On, about a young girl who finds a song for every feeling in an elder's record collection. Plus she tells us about writing sessions with Amber and Paris of We Are King and the run-up to her first headline show at the Royal Albert Hall on October 26th, so put your records on, y'all, and enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 19, 2026 · 49m
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 their Elvis TV movie, why The Thing was his hardest shoot, and says The Exorcist remains the scariest movie ever made. Along the way, Carpenter turns the tables and interviews Questlove, sparking a lively debate about The Beatles and whether music has reached “creative diminished returns.” It’s a funny, engaging conversation between two directors who work in different worlds but share a love of making music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 18, 2026 · 1h 44m
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 stories behind the songs and relive the greatness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 16, 2026 · 21m
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 Shadow’s landmark debut, its lasting impact, and more. They talk about crate-digging in dollar bins, Shadow’s little-known production work for Paris, Gift of Gab’s verse on “Midnight in a Perfect World,” and the difference between a beatmaker and a producer. They also explain why Shadow’s music demands active listening—not background or the dreaded “beats to study to.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 13, 2026 · 1m
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, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 12, 2026 · 1h 16m
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 slang and similes. Now, with Turning My Money Over—a historic 40-song quadruple album—Earl Stevens isn’t slowing down. E-40 talks about growing up on Magazine Street in Vallejo’s Hillside neighborhood, the New York and Bay Area rappers who shaped his voice, and the year at Grambling State that taught him how to make it on his own. He explains how The Click navigated distribution through consignment sheets, mom-and-pop stores, and even rim shops—and how VHS duplication helped change the game for independent artists. 40 Water recalls his dealings with Tupac, advocates for members of the Hieroglyphics crew, and shares how being doubted by a room full of DJs decades ago only pushed him to go harder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 11, 2026 · 1h 0m
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 recalls forming The Runaways as a teenager, starting with four bus rides to jam with drummer Sandy West, and the low point after the band broke up, which ended when she met Kenny Laguna and later turned a little-known Arrows B-side into the hit "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Jett also discusses her influence on Riot Grrrl, her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, her new acoustic album, and her plans to keep stepping outside her comfort zone—maybe even with an R&B record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 9, 2026 · 20m
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 protest against streaming. Clarke also talks about recovering from a nerve injury in his arm, recording School Days at Electric Lady Studios and meeting Joey Ramone there, why he loves playing Detroit, and his plans to write an acoustic bass concerto for schools. Stay tuned for a full Stanley Clarke x episode running very soon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.