Black Music Month Episodes

Black Music Month kicks off in a major way. Mickey Guyton joins Questlove for a deeply personal conversation about carving out space as a Black woman in Country music, from her church roots in Texas to performing on global stages like the Super Bowl and in China. She opens up about her religious upbringing, perfectionism, anxiety, creative burnout, and finding her true audience among marginalized fans who feel seen in her story. Along the way, Mickey and Quest geek out on Brandy, karaoke etiquet...

For Black History Month, QLS opens up the archives to look at accomplishments in the media. Questlove selects and annotates clips involving legends of stage, screen, and broadcast — while dropping some thoughts of his own. This clips, featuring Donnie Simpson, Wayne Brady, Erika Alexander, Big Lez, and others highlight the progress, impact, and accomplishments of so many.

Questlove Supreme's Black Music Month programming continues with a special interview with James Poyser. In Part 1, the incredible musician, producer, and member of The Roots retraces his steps from an English-born child of Jamaican parents to West Philadelphia. He also recalls cutting his teeth in Gospel music before ultimately getting down with DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch Of Jazz production team. Along the way, James remembers meeting Ahmir and making a line-skipping series of cameos on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.

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 salutes Black Music Month in style with a special interview with Bill Clinton. The 42nd President of the United States and Founder and Board Chair of the Clinton Foundation brings some vinyl with him to the in-studio interview as he discusses his love of Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, and more—and recalls the actions he took in the White House to support that passion. While chatting with Team Supreme, President Clinton revisits his saxophone playing on Arsenio Hall, and offers some powerful advice and wisdom to people on how to go about their lives.