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
June 12, 2026 · 43m
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 for privacy information.
More Episodes
Jun 12 · 1h 51m
In the words of Questlove our guest for this classic episode, is "a part of one of THE most important musical dynasty's in music". His touch has been pivotal to the evolution of jazz, but that's not all folks! Branford Marsalis' contributions to the culture can be seen and heard through his acting, the products of his marriage of jazz and hip hop, his barrier breaking presence as a band leader on late night television, his compositions and his scoring, including for Netflix's adaptation of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Now hear his story..... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 10 · 28m
This mini-episode of The Questlove Show features Ahmir, Open Mike Eagle, and producer Cousin Jake reflecting on Mike’s 2025 long-form QLS conversation. Open Mike Eagle shares that he’s just finished a new album, talks about his listening habits (ranging from British bands to YouTube talk shows) and how being embedded in the industry pushes him away from rap in his leisure time. They dig into live performance philosophy—testing unreleased songs on tour, reading crowd energy without begging for participation, and the Roots’ continuous, no-song-ending show structure. The convo closes with Mike’s existing and upcoming podcasts (“What Had Happened Was,” “Past Due,” and a new, working-titled “The Album That Changed My Life”).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 9 · 1h 53m
As we celebrate Black Music Month, look back to late 2024, when James "JT" Taylor joined Questlove and Suga Steve to revisit his upbringing and two decades with Kool & The Gang. JT detailed arriving with the legendary Funk-Jazz band to help them reach new plateaus with hit songs including "Celebration," "Ladies Night," "Joanna," and more. This conversation also touched on JT's solo career at MCA Records, his ventures in film, and his recent Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction. This one is smooth and soulful—just like JT Taylor's incredible voice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 8 · 1h 32m
Hip-Hop visionary Fab 5 Freddy joins Questlove to trace his path from Bed-Stuy's Hancock Street to painting whole-car subway masterpieces, exhibiting in Rome, and helping bring Rap to the mainstream through Yo! MTV Raps. While discussing his new memoir, Everybody's Fly, Fred shares vivid memories of Brooklyn riots, preserving Malcolm X’s final speech on reel-to-reel tape, and even cold-calling Thelonious Monk as a kid. Freddy unpacks Brooklyn’s mobile disco scene, the origins of sound system culture, and how graffiti crews transformed subway cars into rolling art galleries. Along the way, he and Questlove swap stories about boomboxes, gritty ’70s New York, and the tapes, block parties, and community networks that laid the groundwork for Hip-Hop culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 8 · 1h 3m
The second half of the 2022 interview with Fred Hammond. The Roots' James Poyser joined Team Supreme as they interviewed their first Gospel artist — others would follow in time. This conversation is spirited, fun, and informative. Enjoy as part of our 2026 Black Music Month fleet of Classics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 6 · 1h 1m
In 2022, Questlove Supreme interviewed our first Gospel legend, and we started right. Fred Hammond is a game-changer and an innovator. We covered it all in this two-parter. Oh, and keep your ears open for a special guest cohost with his own Gospel "roots."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 5 · 24m
Nick Polowy is the Los Angeles–based artist behind The Questlove Show logo and many of the animations that have appeared throughout QLS episodes since 2022. While taping in Hollywood, Ahmir and Open Mike Eagle sat down with Nick for a special mini episode to talk about his creative process, the deep research that informs his work, and a career that spans everything from major television networks to haunted houses. Tune in to hear the story behind the visuals and the artist who brought them to life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 5 · 1h 29m
In part 3 of this truly classic Questlove Supreme interview (being re-broadcast for Black Music Month), Jimmy Jam talks about everything from what Janet and Michael's sibling relationship was like, to his relationship with his own family and shares even more insider secrets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 4 · 2h 9m
Black Music Month at QLS carries on tradition. In part 2 of his epic interview (the one that Quest' always refers to), Jimmy Jam spoke about making Prince jealous, the studio secrets behind his recordings, how he made all those hits with Janet Jackson and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.