DJs Episodes

We said we’d come back for Part 2—and we did. Arthur Baker, the architect behind “Planet Rock,” “Confusion,” and so much of the ’80s dance-floor sound, returns to The Questlove Show to finish what we started nearly a year ago. Arthur takes us from carrying crates of vinyl onto airplanes to the Synclavier sessions for Hall & Oates’ Big Bam Boom, the clubs and DJs who shaped his sound, and the Brooklyn studio sessions that led to what he jokingly calls “New Arthur” records with New Order. He also opens up about Streetwise Records, the making of Beat Street, the story behind “Sun City” and Artists United Against Apartheid, his connections to Miles Davis, Diana Ross, and Little Steven, and why he wrote his memoir, Looking For The Perfect Beat, for his daughter. Arthur Baker is back.

Questlove sits down with Soulection founder Joe Kay live backstage at the 2026 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia. The conversation traces the origins of a global movement that grew from zip files and SoundCloud posts into a worldwide community. Joe reflects on his earliest musical memories—from family deep cuts and white-label promos to discovering J Dilla—and how those influences helped shape the unmistakable Soulection sound. He and Questlove dig into the craft of DJing, from set architecture an...

De La Soul’s Maseo sits down with Questlove for an unfiltered deep dive into his Hip-Hop journey, his approach to deejaying, and the making of a true original. From volatile days in Brooklyn and Long Island to early block parties and the creation of classics like “Me Myself and I,” “Afro Connections,” and the epic “Cool Breeze on the Rocks” splice session, Mase breaks down the art, risk, and innovation behind De La’s catalog. He explains how a skipping record sparked a 20-minute freestyle, how a...

The LEGENDARY DJ Cash Money joins Questlove live from the 2026 Roots Picnic at Philadelphia’s historic Belmont Plateau for a mini masterclass on the city’s turntablism legacy. A renowned turntable wizard, collector, and beacon of Philly Hip-Hop history, Cash traces the city’s evolution from Grandmaster Nell and Cosmic Kev at Hotel Philadelphia to the birth of the Transformer scratch at Central High—breaking down how Philly quietly rewrote the rules of the DJ. Cash also traces his own evolution from house party selector to technical innovator, inspired by Latin Rascals edits, Gemini mixers, and his own dancer’s sense of rhythm. Along the way, he reveals the wild story behind his “Pump Me Up” routine, which later found its way into Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” and the Def Comedy Jam theme. This mini-episode is merely an appetizer for a much bigger discussion to come. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nine-time Grammy-winning producer and DJ Mark Ronson sits down with Questlove to discuss the many elements of his life and love of music, particularly as they intersect with the era explored in his New York Times best-selling book, Night People. Ronson reflects on a formative period in New York City nightlife, his awkward beginnings as a club DJ, and the experiences that sparked his passion for Hip-Hop and playing music for others. Drawing from the book—originally conceived as a companion piece to an album—he opens up about balancing family life with a demanding career. Along the way, Ronson and Questlove compare notes on the evolving rules of DJ’ing today, making this conversation a perfect groove for music lovers.

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.

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.

DJ Drama meets up with Questlove Supreme in Atlanta to revisit his Philly roots. The Gangsta Grillz creator recalls growing up in Philly, making pivotal Hip-Hop mixtapes as a B-Boy, and taking his talents to Atlanta to pursue a dream and an education. In Part 1, he reveals how that journey led him to Lil Jon, T.I., and Jeezy. This was taped on location in T.I.'s Super Sound Studios.