Questlove Books

In somethingtofoodabout, drummer, producer, musical director, culinary entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author, Questlove, applies his boundless curiosity to the world of food. In conversations with ten innovative chefs in America, Questlove explores what makes their creativity tick, how they see the world through their cooking and how their cooking teaches them to see the world. The conversations begin with food but they end wherever food takes them. Food is fuel. Food is culture. Food is history. And food is food for thought. Featuring conversations with: Nathan Myhrvold, Modernist Cuisine Lab, Seattle; Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park, and NoMad, NYC; Michael Solomonov, Zahav, Philadelphia; Ludo Lefebvre, Trois Mec, L.A.; Dave Beran, Next, Chicago; Donald Link, Cochon, New Orleans; Dominque Crenn, Atelier Crenn, San Francisco; Daniel Patterson, Coi and Loco'l, San Francisco; Jesse Griffiths, Dai Due, Austin; and Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland

In Hip-Hop is History, Questlove, one of the major and most revolutionary figures of that genre, unpicks one hip-hop song from each of the years since the sound of breakbeat drums first burst out of a house party in the Bronx on 11 August 1973. Clive Campbell, a Jamaican-born teenager threw the party. Questlove wants to talk about the present. In this book he analyses the conditions of each song's creation, its lyrical and musical content, and its role in pushing the genre forward and shining a light on Black American History. Questlove was there at the beginning. He's still creating and influencing in the present. He is the perfect companion on this journey through the music, the context and the lasting impact.

What songs have made up your life's soundtrack? Which have captured your every mood and deepest sentiments? Pop music, like no other form of entertainment or art, is capable of articulating our feelings, desires, joy, and pain. In a few soul-grabbing minutes, artists from every genre--from Little Richard to Lou Reed, Willie Nelson to Wu-Tang Clan, Sly and the Family Stone to the Rolling Stones--can help us understand our place in our own lives. This collection of short, sharp essays by New York Times bestselling author Ben Greenman (Mo' Meta Blues), organized around a thematic playlist of songs, serves as a reminder of the lyrical power of songwriting and the sonic ability of pop to capture the human experience. Greenman's wit, insight, and honesty are as sweet and satisfying as the hits (and the deep cuts) at the center of each essay.

A year after Prince's death at the age of 57, acclaimed writer brilliantly anatomizes the star's dramatic career and an aesthetic that at times seemed otherworldly. In thematically structured chapters that blend critical consideration of Prince's art with the author's personal connection to the music.

In this engaging middle grade debut, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson introduces a thrilling adventure where two best friends embark on a time-travel journey. Their escapades lead to unintended consequences, as they find themselves rewriting the future with each choice they make. This captivating series opener promises humor and excitement, appealing to young readers with its blend of friendship and adventure.

NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2018 BY Esquire, PopSugar, The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, and Publishers Weekly, this unique guide to creativity from Questlove offers inspirations, stories, and lessons for living your best creative life. As a musician, bandleader, designer, producer, culinary entrepreneur, professor, and cultural omnivore, Questlove shares his insights on inspiration and originality. He synthesizes creative philosophies and lessons from various creators and collaborators, reflecting on his own experiences to guide readers in exploring creativity and discovering its sources. He covers essential topics such as the meaning of creativity, finding mentors, serving as an apprentice, building a creative network, dealing with critics, and navigating the challenges of contemporary culture. This guidance is aimed at both long-time admirers and newcomers to his story. Drawing from his life and the wisdom of influential figures like George Clinton, D’Angelo, Ava DuVernay, David Byrne, and Björk, Questlove communicates with the candor and enthusiasm his fans expect. Ultimately, this work serves as a wise and expansive conversation about the enduring mystery of creativity.

"Focusing on the years 1971 to the present, Questlove finds the hidden connections in the American tapestry, whether investigating how the blaxploitation era reshaped Black identity or considering the way disco took an assembly-line approach to Black genius. And these critical inquiries are complemented by his own memories as a music fan, and the way his appetite for pop culture taught him about America. A history of the last half-century and an intimate conversation with one of music's most influential and original voices, Music Is History is a singular look at contemporary America"-- Back cover

With Questlove's unique style of hosting dinner parties and his love of music, food, and entertaining, this book will give readers unexpected insights into the relationship between culture and food.