Questlove’s lessons learned

Questlove's lessons learned

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, 52, is not just your ordinary person. He is a man of many talents and accomplishments. As the cofounder and drummer of the Roots, the house band for The Tonight Show since 2014, he has cemented his place in the music industry. But that’s not all! He’s also a highly successful DJ, record producer, podcaster, author, and filmmaker. Talk about a true overachiever!

In fact, Questlove recently won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for his directorial debut, Summer of Soul. Is there anything this man can’t do? When asked about his incredible achievements, Questlove simply replied, “I’m a guy just living out his dreams, that’s all.” And boy, does he do it with style!

One thing that truly embodies Questlove’s Philadelphia roots is his entitled double-parking tendencies. Apparently, in Philadelphia, you can park wherever you want with no consequences. But trying that in Los Angeles? Instant ticket! Talk about a lesson learned the hard way.

But beyond his parking skills, Questlove’s love for music runs deep in his veins. He credits his DNA to being made up of Soul Train. In fact, he has all eleven hundred episodes of the iconic show running on a twenty-four-hour loop in his house. Now that’s some serious dedication!

Another interesting fact about Questlove is that his dad was a fifties doo-wop legend. His father, Lee Andrews, led a band called Lee Andrews & the Hearts. No wonder music is in his blood!

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Growing up, Questlove didn’t have a typical childhood. His parents didn’t believe in babysitting, so he was always surrounded by the family business. He started working as a stage manager by the age of ten. Talk about an early start to a successful career!

Reflecting on his experiences, Questlove shares a powerful insight. “When you’re Black and living in America, you’re living in fight or flight.” It’s a sad reality, but one that has shaped his journey and passion for making a difference.

But it wasn’t all work and no play for young Questlove. One of his favorite pastimes with his dad was binge-shopping for records. They would spend hours at the King James record store, buying LPs and 45’s. Although his dad’s band got first dibs on the records, Questlove made the most of the leftovers.

Before his rise to fame, Questlove had a non-showbiz job selling accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Luckily, he was fired on his birthday in 1992, which led him to pursue his true passion. Five months later, he and the Roots started busking, and the rest is history. Sometimes, getting fired is the best thing that can happen to you!

Despite all the success, Questlove stays true to his roots. He credits his parents for giving him the equipment to dream, even though they often advised him to have a backup plan. Now, at this age, he finally realizes that he has dreams of his own. It’s never too late to chase your dreams, even if they come later in life!

Making Summer of Soul, his award-winning documentary, came naturally to Questlove. He’s a natural-born storyteller with a love for history and music. But that doesn’t mean it was easy. At first, he questioned why he was chosen for this project. But in the end, it found him and attacked him in the best way possible.

Questlove is more than just a music enthusiast. He’s also a big fan of Rocky and Bullwinkle. He believes that kids are smarter than we give them credit for, and shows like Rocky and Bullwinkle prove that intelligence can be entertaining.

As he enters a new phase of his life, Questlove’s taste in music has evolved. He used to listen to only music, but now, 80 percent of his playlist consists of tuning forks. Yes, tuning forks. Who knew they could be so captivating?

But that’s not all. Questlove also listens to a lot of binaural beats. It may sound strange, but these tones have a calming effect on him. It’s like his own strange and unique genre of music. He jokes that he could be the Drake of binaural beats. Now that would be a title to add to his long list of accomplishments!

If there’s one thing Questlove knows, it’s that food brings people together. He believes that food is a social adhesive, especially when there’s a chef involved. After all, starving artists appreciate a good meal!

When it comes to cooking, Questlove has his own specialty. He loves making French toast with croissants. Talk about taking it to the next level!

Starting his day off right is essential for Questlove. He has four morning rituals that he never skips. First, he spends ten minutes expressing gratitude for everything in his life. Then, he does deep breath work and stretches. Finally, he stands in front of the mirror, affirming his worthiness, talent, and intelligence. It may sound a little silly, but it’s a personal mantra that keeps him motivated and focused.

And let’s not forget about Questlove’s dream goals. Every Saturday morning, he writes down fifty things he wants to achieve. And believe it or not, he has an 80 percent success rate in manifesting those dreams. Talk about putting the power of intention into action!

Questlove is not just an incredibly talented individual; he’s also someone who understands the importance of self-care and personal growth. He has a life coach and even hired a chief of staff to help him navigate the big leagues. It goes to show that even the most accomplished people need support and guidance along their journey.

So, next time you see Questlove on stage, remember that there’s so much more to him than just his impressive drumming skills. He’s a man who has lived a colorful life, filled with dreams, success, and a whole lot of soul. And he’s not done yet. Keep an eye out for his upcoming projects, because this man is on a mission to make a difference in the world through his art and passion.

Questlove holding the Oscar he won in 2022 for Best Documentary Feature as the director of Summer of Soul. Photo by Mike Coppola_GettyImages

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