Travel back to early 2020 when Esperanza Spalding stopped by the studio to talk about the evolution of her artistry, the charms of Portland, Oregon, and some deeper discussions about spirituality. 



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Travel back to early 2020 when Esperanza Spalding stopped by the studio to talk about the evolution of her artistry, the charms of Portland, Oregon, and some deeper discussions about spirituality. 
 
Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

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.

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 &ldquo;Questlove&rdquo; Thompson, each episode uncovers the unexpected &mdash; from morning rituals and hidden talents to the art and experiences that shaped a guest&rsquo;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&rsquo;s a fresh, unpredictable spin from a trusted source &mdash; a place where randomness is encouraged, tangents are welcomed, and conversations are anything but ordinary.

The Questlove Show

Esperanza Spalding stops by to talk about the evolution of her artistry, and Questlove finally addresses the empty chair in the room.

QLS Classic: Esperanza Spalding

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fa644a56-f0f0-4e11-b565-ae3200b361a4/transcript

Questlove and JoJo are NOT close friends. They aren’t—or at least, that’s how they approached this conversation: two pals from different genres and generations who have bonded in recent years, sitting down to see what else they might have in common.

For The Questlove Show, the two get into JoJo’s evolution from teen prodigy to Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist—songwriting camps, vocal discipline, Broadway chops, creative blocks, and what it means to define success on your own terms. JoJo also gets real about periods of feeling low, her family, and why she’s no longer interested in trauma-dumping in the studio—but still wants the music to hit you hard.

And, because this is QLS, we go everywhere: Boston accents, mermaid dreams, theater nerd deep dives, the standards for singing in the age of AI, and the story behind her viral flip of “Marvin’s Room” by Drake.

This is a conversation about craft, resilience, growing up in public, and choosing joy without losing the soul.

Questlove and JoJo are NOT close friends. They aren&rsquo;t&mdash;or at least, that&rsquo;s how they approached this conversation: two pals from different genres and generations who have bonded in recent years, sitting down to see what else they might have in common.
For&nbsp;The Questlove Show, the two get into JoJo&rsquo;s evolution from teen prodigy to Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist&mdash;songwriting camps, vocal discipline, Broadway chops, creative blocks, and what it means to define success on your own terms. JoJo also gets real about periods of feeling low, her family, and why she&rsquo;s no longer interested in trauma-dumping in the studio&mdash;but still wants the music to hit you hard.
And, because this is QLS, we go everywhere: Boston accents, mermaid dreams, theater nerd deep dives, the standards for singing in the age of AI, and the story behind her viral flip of &ldquo;Marvin&rsquo;s Room&rdquo; by Drake.
This is a conversation about craft, resilience, growing up in public, and choosing joy without losing the soul.

JoJo

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c7ec82c1-9678-45a2-9317-b4ad013149fc/transcript

Bruce Hornsby joined Questlove Supreme in 2020 for a deep-dive that went way beyond “The Way It Is,” tracing his late-blooming journey from Virginia jock to conservatory-trained improviser to unlikely pop star. Bruce broke down how playing with The Grateful Dead rewired his approach to live performance, why he’d spent decades upsetting soft-core fans, and how a small-town Southern upbringing informed his blunt (and progressive) songwriting about race and class. He shared wild, personal stories about mentoring Allen Iverson, getting discovered by Michael McDonald, and being the piano heartbeat behind (fellow QLS guest) Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Hornsby also talked about doing (fellow QLS guest) Spike Lee scores, his modern Classical influences, and why he’d rather chase new harmonic territory than nostalgia. It was a rare, funny, and candid portrait of a virtuoso who kept reinventing himself—even as his most famous song found new life with artists from 2Pac to Polo G.

Bruce Hornsby joined Questlove Supreme in 2020 for a deep-dive that went way beyond &ldquo;The Way It Is,&rdquo; tracing his late-blooming journey from Virginia jock to conservatory-trained improviser to unlikely pop star. Bruce broke down how playing with The Grateful Dead rewired his approach to live performance, why he&rsquo;d spent decades upsetting soft-core fans, and how a small-town Southern upbringing informed his blunt (and progressive) songwriting about race and class. He shared wild, personal stories about mentoring Allen Iverson, getting discovered by Michael McDonald, and being the piano heartbeat behind (fellow QLS guest) Bonnie Raitt&rsquo;s &ldquo;I Can&rsquo;t Make You Love Me.&rdquo; Hornsby also talked about doing (fellow QLS guest) Spike Lee scores, his modern Classical influences, and why he&rsquo;d rather chase new harmonic territory than nostalgia. It was a rare, funny, and candid portrait of a virtuoso who kept reinventing himself&mdash;even as his most famous song found new life with artists from 2Pac to Polo G.

This week on Questlove Supreme mega talented, multiple award winning singer songwriter, composer and pianist Bruce Hornsby shares his story.

QLS Classic: Bruce Hornsby

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bc46283a-eb51-425f-a2aa-ae3200a0b69a/transcript

In this Questlove Show mini episode, Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpack their recent sit-down with legendary producer DJ Muggs. They explore Muggs’ evolution from boom-bap architect to self-mastered, independent creator who—as he told Ahmir—built his own musical universe. The conversation digs into the so-called “drumless” beats wave, how lowering drums in the mix opens new space for MCs, and what artistic maturity and freedom really look like after decades in the game. Along the way, the two QLS affliates touch on some highlights and key points from the episode, and the power of real, in-person collaboration in Hip-Hop.

In this Questlove Show mini episode, Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpack their recent sit-down with legendary producer&nbsp;DJ Muggs. They explore Muggs&rsquo; evolution from boom-bap architect to self-mastered, independent creator who&mdash;as he told Ahmir&mdash;built his own musical universe. The conversation digs into the so-called &ldquo;drumless&rdquo; beats wave, how lowering drums in the mix opens new space for MCs, and what artistic maturity and freedom really look like after decades in the game. Along the way, the two QLS affliates touch on some highlights and key points from the episode, and the power of real, in-person collaboration in Hip-Hop.

A Reaction To The DJ Muggs Episode Of The Questlove Show 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/afa2b468-e59e-4ae9-9b57-b4ad00e3dd85/transcript

QLS Classic: Esperanza Spalding

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