Connect
Bio
Drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and member of The Roots – Questlove, is the unmistakable heartbeat of Philadelphia’s most influential hip-hop group. He is the Musical Director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where his beloved Roots crew serves as house band. Beyond that, this 4-time GRAMMY Award winning musician’s indisputable reputation has landed him musical directing positions with everyone from D’Angelo to Eminem to Jay-Z. Questlove has also released two books including the New York Times bestseller Mo’ Meta Blues and Soul Train: The Music, Dance and Style of a Generation. One of his latest endeavors includes scoring Chris Rock’s film, Top Five, and also working as the music supervisor. He also recently produced the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hamilton, alongside Alex Lacamoire, Bill Sherman, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tarik “Black Thought” Trotter. He will also serve as the Executive Music Producer and Composer on the A&E Mini Series “Roots.”
Questlove made his way into the culinary world with his signature “Love’s Drumstick.” Currently, he is hosting a series of Food Salons with world-renowned and innovative chefs at his Financial District apartment in the NY by Gehry building. Questlove has appeared as a Guest Judge on Top Chef Season 11, his interest in food and his own culinary endeavors have been featured on the cover of New York Magazine, in Food & Wine Magazine, Bon Appetit, and seen on The View, Watch What Happens Live, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He is a Celebrity Ambassador for Food Bank For New York City, is on the City Harvest Food Council, a board member of Edible Schoolyard, and the first Artist-in-Residence at the Made in NY Media Center. Questlove is also a Founding Member of the CAPA Foundation in Philadelphia.
Questlove’s upcoming lifestyle and creativity book Creative Quest is set to release in Spring 2018, following 2016’s something to food about via publisher Clarkson Potter. Additionally, Questlove and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter wrote a new original song “It Ain’t Fair” for the critically acclaimed motion picture DETROIT, directed by Academy Award-winner Kathryn Bigelow. The song is performed by The Roots and Bilal.
Questlove has DJ’d high profile events for brands like Red Bull, Verizon, Nike, Grey Goose, Budweiser, Delta, Cartier, ESPN, and for networks such as NBC, Netflix, Amazon and Fox, for magazines such as NY Magazine, Vulture, Rolling Stone, GQ and Refinery 29. Adding to his portfolio, he has DJ’d weddings for celebrities such as Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, and Solange Knowles, to name a few.
Questlove is the modern day mayor of soul music. No matter what the style, when Questlove gets behind the decks, people dance until the lights come on. And even then, they don’t want to go home.