| Questlove Supreme | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Questlove (Ahmir Thompson), Unpaid Bill (Bill Sherman),Laiya St. Clair, Suga Steve (Steven Mandel). Former hosts:Phonte (Phonte Coleman) and Boss Bill (Bill Johnson) |
| Genre | Music podcast |
| Language | English |
| Length | 90–180 minutes |
| Publication | |
| Original release | September 7, 2016 (2016-9-7) |
| Provider | iHeartMedia, iHeart Podcast Network |
| Related | |
| Website | www |
Questlove Supreme is apodcast led byQuestlove (Ahmir Thompson) and co-hosted by Team Supreme, which includes Unpaid Bill (Bill Sherman), Suga Steve (Steven Mandel), andLaiya St. Clair, and formerlyPhonte (Phonte Coleman) and Boss Bill (Bill Johnson).[1][2]
Questlove Supreme features interviews with musicians, songwriters, producers, actors, directors, and industry executives. QLS has recorded and published over 300 episodes. Guests include:Q-Tip,Usher,Carlos Santana,Chris Rock,Bruce Springsteen,Elvis Costello,Maya Rudolph,Solange,Shep Gordon,Steve Miller,"Weird Al" Yankovic,The Revolution, andChaka Khan. QLS also sometimes features public figures outside the music industry such asJohn Oliver,Bill Clinton,Stacey Abrams, andMichelle Obama.
Questlove Supreme began as an extension of the music courses Questlove taught atNew York University and is what he has called a "black nerd version ofNPR." To prepare for each episode, Questlove personally listens to around 200 songs.[3]
In 2019 the podcast moved fromPandora toiHeartMedia.[4][5]
Questlove Supreme usually begins with a musical introduction, where the panelists participate in a "Shabooya Roll Call," an "age-old school bus chant"ad-lib format.[6]
Questlove hosts the show, with Team Supreme co-hosting, providing additional questions, reactions, jokes, and references. QLS guests are asked about their early musical experiences, influences, and careers, with other off-script questions emerging based on the conversation.
Episodes are released on Wednesdays on multiple streaming platforms. New episodes are released on a biweekly basis, with "Questlove Supreme Classic" episodes replayed every other week. QLS also updates a mix of songs referenced on the show.
Questlove has described the choice to have several co-hosts as a way to represent a "broad range of experiences".[1] Co-hostPhonte (Phonte Coleman) is a rapper in the hip-hop trio/duoLittle Brother and producer. Suga Steve (Steven Mandel) is a music producer onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, co-founder of J.M.I. Recordings, and former engineer atElectric Lady Studios.[7] Unpaid Bill (Bill Sherman) is a composer, producer, arranger, and orchestrator known for his work onIn the Heights,Hamilton, andSesame Street.Laiya St. Clair is a radio host, producer, and voice artist. Boss Bill (Bill Johnson) is a producer.
Consequence of Sound summed the show up as a "music junkie's dream," specifically for its "handpicked mixtape of Questlove-approved jams."[8]