questlove: Last News

Questlove has thanked Kendrick Lamar for referencing the Roots in the music video for ‘Squabble Up’, while teasing a new album from the group.Lamar dropped his sixth album ‘GNX‘ without warning on Friday (November 22), his first release since 2022’s ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’.

The Roots drummer Questlove is set to direct a documentary film about Earth, Wind & Fire, to be released in 2025.The musician shared the news – appropriately – on Saturday, the 21st night of September, promising to tell “the definitive story of the elements” with the feature film.Posting on Instagram, Questlove said the film would tell “the story of how a band led by a genius from Chicago changed our way of thinking, our minds and our hearts”.A post shared by Questlove (@questlove)“Having been baptized in the afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly I’ve learned about and rediscovered myself in the process,” he added.“I’m so excited to be directing a documentary preserving their positive but VERY vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle. This is the story of joy, persistence, love, pain, magic and self discovery.

Missy Elliott, Ciara, Questlove, Nicki Minaj and more have tribute to the late Fatman Scoop.The legendary rapper, hypeman, DJ and producer – real name Isaac Freeman III – died on Saturday (August 31) at the age of 52. Scoop was rushed to hospital after collapsing on stage during a show in Connecticut the night before.

The Roots‘ Questlove has weighed in on Drake‘s and Kendrick Lamar‘s ongoing rap beef – see what he had to say below.Yesterday (May 8), Questlove took to social media to share his thoughts on the feud between the two wrappers, writing in a scathing post: “Nobody won the war. This wasn’t about skill.”He continued, referencing the rappers bringing their partners’ names and children into the fold: “This was a wrestling match level mudslinging and takedown by any means necessary – women & children (& actual facts) be damned.

The Roots have announced two outdoor shows for this summer, marking their first UK dates for six years.The hip-hop duo made up of Questlove and Black Thought will be headlining South Facing Festival at London’s Crystal Palace Park Bowl on August 2. The next day, they’ll be headlining further south for a show at Dreamland Margate.De La Soul and The Pharcyde will be opening for the duo at both shows.

Questlove has defended Sexyy Red appearing on the Roots Picnic 2024 line-up, saying “I’m still shocked yall got energy for ‘”oh hell no isms’.”The line-up for the annual Philadelphia music festival was revealed yesterday (February 20) and featured the likes of Lil Wayne, Jill Scott, Nas, André 3000 and more. The event will return to The Mann in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, PA on June 1-2.]The announcement of Sexyy Red’s appearance at this year’s edition of Roots Picnic was met with criticism due to her support for Trump as well as comments of her being “trashy”.The Roots drummer took the time to respond to one of the hateful comments about Sexyy Red’s inclusion on the lineup, saying that he was “shocked” at the reactions.“Damn…..hell hath frozen over when I like a Mel post.

Questlove has shared his thoughts on André 3000’s upcoming comeback album, describing it as “a good medicine”.Earlier this week (November 14), the former OutKast rapper shared details of his first solo album in 17 years. The 87-minute record is said to be comprised of experimental flute music, and the rapper has said that it is not a rap album, even including a label on the cover warning that it contains “no bars”.Titled ‘New Blue Sun’, the album is released on Friday (November 17).

Ariana Grande, Usher and many others, passed away on Monday, October 30.Spears’ wife Jessica announced the news on his Instagram account, but did not reveal the cause of his death.Spears was born and raised in Washington, DC, where he developed his passion and talent for drumming at a young age through his church attendance. He joined the DC-based Gideon Band and later caught the attention of Valdez Brantley, the musical director for Usher.

Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury yesterday (March 30), in the first criminal case against a former US President. Numerous famous faces from the entertainment world have since shared their thoughts on the decision.The charges faced by the former POTUS stem back to 2016, when adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal claimed that they were paid in an attempt to silence claims of extramarital affairs.According to the charges, in late 2016 – amid his presidential campaign – Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 (£105,300) to stay silent about an incident a decade earlier.

The Roots bassist Leonard Hubbard and Hubbard’s estate is suing band co-founders Questlove and Black Thought for fraud.The Roots’ bandmembers Questlove and Black Thought, along with their band manager Shawn Gee and band employee Munir Nuriddin, are among those whom Stephanie Hubbard and Hubbard’s estate claim violated RICO laws and defrauded the bassist out of millions.In the complaint obtained by Rolling Stone the claimants allege that Questlove (real name Ahmir Thompson), Black Thought (real name Tariq Trotter), Gee and Nuriddin “are advancing a continuing scheme to defraud” the estate and Stephanie of money. Live Nation Entertainment, Universal Music Publishing Group, and other companies that are associated with the band’s businesses are also named in the lawsuit.The Roots bandmembers formed Grand Negaz, Inc., a corporate entity used for business dealings, in 1993.

Questlove is set to direct a new adaptation of The Aristocats for Disney.The Roots musician, producer and filmmaker – real name Ahmir Khalib Thompson – will reimagine the animated 1970 movie as “a live-action/hybrid”, according to Deadline. He’ll also serve as an executive producer and oversee the film’s music.Will Gluck and Keith Bunin are said to be helming the script. Tarik Trotter, Shawn Gee and Zarah Zohlman will executive produce the forthcoming title on behalf of Questlove’s production company Two One Five Entertainment.In a statement (via Pitchfork), Questlove said: “During those first months of the pandemic back in 2020, I allowed my inner 9-year-old to have a voice he wouldn’ta had back in 1980.

Questlove is looking to branch out from documentary filmmaking into narrative storytelling with a live-action adaptation of Disney's Questlove — most famous for his work as the frontman for The Roots — has been tapped to make his feature film directorial debut for Walt Disney Studios, helming a live-action/hybrid «reimagining» of the House of Mouse's acclaimed 1970 animated feature.Questlove is also set to serve as an executive producer on the film, as well as oversee the music for the film, according to, who first reported the news.The script for the new project is being penned by Will Gluck and Keith Bunin, while Gluck's production company, Olive Bridge, is set to produce.Walt Disney's, released to ciritcal praise in 1970, tells the tale of a family of Parisian cats whose owner — a wealthy opera singer — dies, and leaves all her money to her beloved felines.

Sly Stone is set to release a new memoir later this year, featuring contributions from Questlove.The upcoming book is set to be released on October 17 and will provide a never-before-seen insight into the funk icon’s personal life. It will also feature a foreword by legendary American musician, Questlove.Entitled Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin): A Memoir, the book will dive into a firsthand account of the musician’s personal life, and share anecdotes from his 50-year-long tenure in the music industry.“For as long as I can remember folks have been asking me to tell my story, I wasn’t ready,” he said.

Questlove has entered the social media debate over the drumming of The White Stripes‘ Meg White, defending her ability.White, who formed The White Stripes with Jack White and went on to become one of the most successful bands of the 21st century, has often been criticised for her drumming style.In In 2002, White said of the criticism: “I appreciate other kinds of drummers who play differently, but it’s not my style or what works for this band. I get [criticism] sometimes, and I go through periods where it really bothers me.

Questlove returned to the Oscars on Sunday, one year after Will Smith overshadowed his win in the Best Documentary Feature Film category for his .Before taking the stage with co-presenter Riz Ahmed, host Jimmy Kimmel announced the pair, and took a moment to poke fun at the infamous Oscars slap.«Our category is Documentary Feature, which you may recall, is where we had that little skirmish last year,» Kimmel began, referencing the moment Smith took the stage to slap Chris Rock, after he made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith's baldness. «Hopefully, this time it goes off without a hitch, or at least without .»He continued, «Please put your hands together — and then keep them to yourself for Oscar winners Riz Ahmed and Amir „Questlove“ Thompson.»After getting praise from Ahmed, who told the musician turned filmmaker that he loved , the pair set the stage for the nominees before announcing  as the winner in the Best Documentary Feature Film category.The pair went on to present the award for Best Documentary Short next, which went to .The win marked yet another moment where last year's slap was part of a punchline.

Questlove is set to executive produce a new documentary about the legendary J Dilla.The new film, titled Dilla Time, will see the Roots drummer working alongside the influential late artist’s estate for a project described as “part biography, part musicology, and part musical meditation”.Questlove said: “Explaining musical genius is my mission. To be able to tell the world about the musician that had the most influence on me is a dream come true.

Madonna held a roller disco last night (August 10) in New York City, in celebration of her upcoming compilation album, ‘Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones’.The album, which arrives next (August 19), was celebrated at DiscOasis Central Park in NYC. At the event, Madonna reunited with Nile Rogers and spoke about the time they made ‘Like A Virgin’ together.Questlove served as a DJ at the event, playing Madonna hits alongside disco classics all night, while fans danced and skated in Central Park.Madonna first announced the project back in May – a new compilation celebrating the singer’s record 50 chart-topping hits on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.Madonna’s 2019 track ‘I Don’t Search I Find’, which featured on her ‘Madame X’ album, earned the artist her 50th Number One on the Dance Club Songs chart in the US back in February 2020The achievement made Madonna the first and only artist with 50 number ones on any single Billboard chart.A press release said: “In addition to fan favourites, the collection also includes a selection of rare remix recordings, with more than 20 being officially released for the first time or making their commercial/digital debut.”The collection will be available digitally on August 19, along with a 3-CD version.

Juneteenth, several entertainers of color will perform at the Hollywood Bowl on June 19, which is set to air live on all CNN platforms.Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom will include performances from Earth, Wind & Fire, Michelle Williams, Robert Glasper, Jhené Aiko, Billy Porter, Mary Mary, Lucky Daye, Anthony Hamilton, Yolanda Adams, Killer Mike, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and the Re-Collective Orchestra; marking the first time an all-Black orchestra will perform at the Hollywood Bowl stage since it opened in 1922.In addition to rocking the stage with The Roots, Questlove will also serve as the event’s musical director with Adam Blackstone, CNN reports.“It’s a moment to celebrate and reflect on Black independence and the Black experience,” Shawn Gee, President of Live Nation Urban said in a statement.  “It’s also a moment to raise awareness and shine light on the miles we still need to travel to true equity.”Juneteenth is a remembrance of the slave’s emancipation in 1865. This year will mark the second year it will be celebrated as a national holiday, after President Joe Biden signed the bill last year on June 17, just two days prior to the date.

Questlove and Aaron Dessner both received honorary degrees from Philadelphia’s University Of The Arts this week (May 19).The event was the university’s first in-person graduation ceremony since 2019 due to COVID-related cancellations.Speaking about his collaborations with Taylor Swift in 2020, Dessner told the crowd: “Making this music became a life raft in the middle of the pandemic. In April 2020, Taylor Swift texted me out of the blue one night when I was sitting at dinner.

Phoebe Bridgers, Garbage, Questlove and more have reacted to the US ​​Supreme Court’s private vote to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision which made abortion legal on a federal level.Yesterday (May 2) Politico published a leaked draft opinion penned by Justice Samuel Alito which argued that Roe v.

Questlove’s decorated documentary Summer Of Soul – will be revived and reimagined as the Harlem Festival of Culture in 2023.Per Billboard, the Harlem Festival of Culture will be an annual affair kicking off in the summer of 2023. It will take place at Marcus Garvey Park, the same site that hosted the original 1969 festival that was the subject of Questlove’s film.