1980S Episodes

Ed Eckstine is a name that has come up during multiple QLS interviews. Now he sits down to talk about not only growing up in a legendary household where icons regularly stopped by, but he shares 50 years of music industry history. Ed recalls working at Quincy Jones Productions before his time with Clive Davis at Arista working with Whitney Houston and Kenny G. Eckstine also talks about his years leading Polygram and Mercury, where he signed acts like Tony! Toni! Toné!, Vanessa Williams, and Brian McKnight. This is a joyful deep dive filled with anecdotes, intersections, laughter, and two hours of insider wisdom.

For 2024 Black History Month, QLS has some special programming. "This is the greatest episode ever," Questlove says during this two-part discussion with Hollywood revolutionary Robert Townsend. Part 1 includes his Chicago upbringing, gift for impersonations, and pursuit to become a working actor in New York. Robert touches on his ascent from minor roles in Cooley High and The Warriors to nearly becoming an SNL cast member. A focal point of Part 1 is Robert detailing how Townsend financed Hollywood Shuffle with a credit card and his word. This conversation with a true visionary is both funny and impactful.

Questlove Supreme sits down with a keystone of Hip Hop culture, Paradise Gray. In the first of a two-part interview, Paradise revisits growing up in the Bronx backdrop of Hip Hop. He recalls his time at The Latin Quarter, a legendary New York City club that birthed the careers of Rap legends and more. This is an insightful, informative, and entertaining in-studio interview.

After years of manifesting, Questlove Supreme welcomes Shanice Wilson and Tracie Spencer—together. These two songstresses talk about their overlapping music industry experiences, making songs that define a generation's adolescence and what they have been doing in recent years. This fun in-studio interview checks a bucket list for Team Supreme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Years in the making, LL COOL J sits down with Questlove Supreme for a career-spanning comprehensive 2-part interview. Part 1 discusses LL's earliest rapping days, his first three albums, and the life and times behind one of Hip-Hop's first superstars.

Milli Vanilli co-founder Fab Morvan speaks to Questlove Supreme about his musical journey. Fab opens up about the highs, the lows, the mistakes, and the misinformation surrounding his career — currently covered in a evocative new documentary. He also remembers his late creative partner Rob Pilatus. Fab's passion for music burns bright throughout this personal and reflective conversation.

In Part 2, Funky George Brown of Kool & The Gang explains the group's transition and super success at the turn of the 1980s. He discusses the songwriting process, personnel changes, and the challenges of touring with Van Halen.

Questlove Supreme celebrates 50 years of Hip Hop with a guest who grew up just steps from the culture's birthplace. Kid Capri tells Team Supreme about attending early Hip Hop parties, catching the bug in the mid-1970s, and looking for the perfect beat in the formative years of the culture. Listeners will feel the love in this one.

For years, Questlove Supreme has wanted to speak with Leroy Burgess and now it has happened. The legendary singer, songwriter, and producer revisits his New York City upbringing. In Part 1, he explains his family ties to Thom Bell, Ricky Bell, Robert "Kool" Bell, and others, and recalls the formation of Black Ivory. In this episode he also speaks about sampling, and the different experiences he had watching his music become source material for Q-Tip, Raekwon, Grand Puba, and others.

Blondie's Deborah Harry and Chris Stein discuss their band's formative years and evolution. They recall the 1970s New York City scene, talk about their hits, and discuss using their platform to bring Hip-Hop culture to the masses. Debbie and Chris also discuss preserving their archives for the Grammy-nominated Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982 box set.