Questlove recently dropped by the Red Bull Music Academy in New York for a lecture, speaking at length with DJ Chairman Mao about his career and much more. Honestly, anytime Questo drops knowledge, it's definitely well worth watching. I'm really becoming a fan of these lectures; if you enjoy them as much as I do, make sure to check out the lectures with Rakim and Stretch & Bobbito. Watch the video and read the teaser below.
"A pivotal figure of the Philly scene, Questlove cofounded The Roots, who rejuvenated hip hop in an instrumental flurry. Meanwhile, Questlove’s engagement with the Soulquarians production squad, and collaborations with artists such as D’Angelo, Jay-Z and Common have reasserted the importance of real-time playing in a style dominated by sampling and programming. Besides establishing the crucial heads’ website Okayplayer and gigging with The Roots as the house band for Jimmy Fallon’s late night show, Questlove has also acquired serious skills behind the ones and twos."
Every time I think I'm improving as an interviewer, I'll watch a Nardwuar interview and realize how much farther there is to go. As far as I'm concerned, he's the best music interviewer today. The Human Serviette caught up with Questlove for a thoroughly entertaining 46-minute interview, in which they discuss how The Cosby Show played a role in Questlove becoming a producer, the graffiti culture in Philadelphia, and as usual, the significance of a bunch of different records. Watch the interview below.
In celebration of getting himself a new Ludwig drum kit recently, ?uestlove decided to share the love by giving out a free breakbeat. Rappers and producers should definitely check this out; this is going straight to my MPC. Here's what the Roots drummer had to say:
i made the decision to go full fledge back to my "roots."
dec 25th 1979 i got my very first "real" drum set (Blue Vistalites like Bonzo from Zep)
then i went through a Tama phase (well...lol my parents were like "here")
but all my professional career i was a Yamaha head. which bent over backwards for me.
but at the end of the day I'm a "breakbeat"-based drummer and i've never gotten better "grit" than i did with Ludwig.
actually on D'angelo's "yes we're still waiting" new album i played on a blue & cream vistalite just like when i was a kid. the sound was so raw i was like "i GOTTA go back."
Stream and download the breakbeat below. Producers, go nuts. Photo credit to Nessim Higson. [via Okayplayer]