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Tom Silverman, founder of the Hip-Hop/Dance label Tommy Boy Records talks about his early days in radio, how Disco never actually died, and the all important fifth pillar of Hip-Hop: knowledge.

Tom Silverman, founder of the Hip-Hop/Dance label Tommy Boy Records talks about his early days in radio, how Disco never actually died, and the all important fifth pillar of Hip-Hop: knowledge.

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

QLS Classic: Tom Silverman

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/eedac0dc-f1db-4478-978f-ae970026c941/transcript

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.”

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&hellip;.., but scheduling didn&rsquo;t work out this time. Instead, Open Mike Eagle&mdash;who is performing on some of Shadow&rsquo;s current tour dates&mdash;and Cousin Jake celebrate Shadow&rsquo;s landmark debut, its lasting impact, and more.
They talk about crate-digging in dollar bins, Shadow&rsquo;s little-known production work for Paris, Gift of Gab&rsquo;s verse on &ldquo;Midnight in a Perfect World,&rdquo; and the difference between a beatmaker and a producer. They also explain why Shadow&rsquo;s music demands active listening&mdash;not background or the dreaded &ldquo;beats to study to.&rdquo;

A Quick Salute To 30 Years Of DJ Shadow's Endtroducing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/22a7ddfc-d269-4d82-9280-b4e500df8ea3/transcript

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.

A real tycoon is in the building. Questlove sits down with Vallejo&rsquo;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&mdash;a historic 40-song quadruple album&mdash;Earl Stevens isn&rsquo;t slowing down.
E-40 talks about growing up on Magazine Street in Vallejo&rsquo;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&mdash;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.

E-40

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/24c9bf97-bb08-452d-ad10-b4a60133d044/transcript

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. 

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 &amp; 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 &amp; Roll Hall of Fame induction, her new acoustic album, and her plans to keep stepping outside her comfort zone&mdash;maybe even with an R&amp;B record.&nbsp;

QLS Classic  : Joan Jett

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/916ac14c-4948-4604-8b61-ae9900262ef6/transcript

QLS Classic: Tom Silverman

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