The Questlove Show - A Reaction To The Riz Ahmed Episode Of The Questlove Show

Episode Date: July 18, 2026

The mini-episode features Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpacking the recently released Questlove Show interview with Riz Ahmed. Beginning with a behind-the-scenes look at how the virtual conversation came together—amid travel, press days, and technical echo issues—they explore Riz's deep roots as a Hip Hop head, dating back to the Rawkus Records and Lyricist Lounge era. The discussion then shifts to Questlove's current Hip Hop worldview, focusing on his appreciation for character-driven artists such as Kool Keith, Edan, MF DOOM, and MC Paul Barman—names he singled out during the interview. Mike also reflects on his personal connection to Ahmir, recalling the Paul Barman track "Echo Chamber," which was discussed on Mike's 2025 guest appearance on the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. A home world cup only happens once in a lifetime, and we are not missing a second. I'm Castle 1021. On the 1021 podcast, me and the crew, break down every match like it's personal, the drama, the upsets, the debates you'll be having all day,

soccer, culture, and chaos in one place. Pick aside, we already did. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your, your podcasts. and many more. Kyle is going for it here. You fully improvised, not just words, but a song.

Well, I thought you were all going to write a song. I remember you thinking that. Listen to Podlandia. A.A.O. Rewatch on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's sports journalist Ari Chambers. Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your girl, Sam J. And we're the hosts of everyone watches women's sports. A new podcast from Together.

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This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Every week, the news gets worse. The world gets crazier. And Yamanika is here to tell whoever's responsible, you're the problem. Do you know I just found out who Sidney's, weenie was. If he got a bunch of women, then I should have a bunch of men. Do better or do less, so I don't have to do so much. I'm Yamanika, and I'm out. Listen to you're the problem with Yamanika on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The Questlove show is a

production of IHeart Radio. What's up everybody? This is Cousin Jake, producer, co-producer of the Questlove show. And I'm sitting here with our very own family member, Open Mike Eagle. Well, I need a family name. I need to figure out what my relation is. You know, I don't know how I got Cousin Jake. It was funny. It was like the first or second time back in 2022 I sat in. And I was laughing because I always was a fan of Questlove Supreme.

And I had known Fonte a long time. And Amir just was like, cousin Jake. And I laughed because at one point I was telling somebody, I was like, man, I feel like Oliver on the Brady bunch. Like, I don't. Like, this is the family. And I'm here for a weird, like, season. And whatever it is, it works. And I don't, because Cousin Jake, as far as I know, is not a reference to a TV show or anything else.

Not that I'm familiar with either, but, you know, sounds good. But you got one of the coolest names, period. But, you know, we got to probably get something specific to this environment. I think so. We'll find that together. We will. We will. With the big boss involved as well.

But I, you know, there was something, we taped this interview with Rizamad. And, you know, to pull back the curtain, it was originally supposed to be in person in New York. And this show has often, you know, existed, thrived, survived, evolved around travel plans, you know. And, you know, Amir ended up having to be in California for a couple weeks during the hiatus of the Jimmy Fallon show. So we moved it to virtual. And it was funny. I shout out to Riz. He was dealing with parenthood.

He was in the middle of a press day, which I'm sure you've done. It's always a day. Probably a different level because he's probably, he's promoting a movie, I'm sure, or show. And I have been there for shows, but even then, it was basic cable. It's a different world than, you know, Christie's television. I'm saying I've been there, but because I've been there, I can say there's certainly levels to it. And the level that he's operating on is probably, it would probably kill me to have to get the kind of press that he asked to do. Well, it's funny.

We did it in IHeart Studios, L.A. Amir's part, and Riz was in, I believe, New York. And there was an echo just because, you know, studios try to assist. and I am not the tech-savvious person despite being a producer of award-winning podcast. So there was Echo for the first few minutes. And at one point, Riz, and you won't hear this in the final, but it was like, hey, can you guys just check something? I'm getting echo effect.

But it turned into a really cool discussion. And, you know, it was interesting is like, and I love this about this show, things go where they're going to go. And then, you know, if there's something to promote or there's a reason to Etra, it comes back in. but Riz wanted to talk about music. He asked him mirror a lot of questions.

I mean, Rizzy's a huge hip hop head. Yeah. Yeah. And, you know, a lot of people don't know that about it, but he's huge. Have you ever in your capacity, like shared a stage or a bill or anything? I have not. I have not. I've just, I've heard him talked about by people who I know that really know what's up.

And they tell me he really knows what's up. Yeah. And that came across. Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry. He makes music. I think he's done some stuff with heems. Mm-hmm.

Yeah. So, yeah. I mean, that's, that's the homie. So that's probably the closest connection between us. So, yeah, but I thought of you. I thought of myself at one point, you know, they, Amir kind of asked him a term that you and I have used on this platform about North Stars. And I felt like it might be resonant to your journey especially.

But he was like, you know, what really guided you? And Riz was really honest and kind of pointed to the whole, you know, raucous records movement. And adjacent figures, he says, you know, most deaf, yes, Sine Bay, Talibqali, he mentions common, he ludes to Black Thought. And I thought that that was just interesting because I think you and I are of a similar age group and a similar taste profile. You know, what did you think when you heard that?

It wasn't surprising at all. I'm part of that same generation where at, if you had asked me from the ages of, you know, 16 to 24 who my favorite rappers were I would have said those same people like those were those were at that time North Stars in terms of rappers that people knew about like those were the cream of the crop

and it was representative of you know that wave of true school hip hop ruckist records lyricist lounge you know De La's reemergence to where they're connected with people like common and most deafness and it's turning into soul querions like that whole era

was some of the most important music that was ever made to me and honestly it's sort of a golden era of rappers with values that align with mine both society Italy and craft wise really fly close to the sun.

What do you mean by that? That this was the time when we had gone through the early times of hip-hop where it seemed like almost equal time between public enemies and NWA's, like the full spectrum, right? Things had started to get homogenized, I believe, around like bad boy. You know, the way that the way that Biggie was. able to marry street rap and club rap sort of changed everything so where everything was going in that direction. And then for this moment in the mid 90s up until like early 2000s, there was

a sense almost like it was coming back in, I won't say mainstream hip hop, but like major labels were still putting resources into what felt like, uh, vital alternative voices in rap. And so common albums felt way big. Most deaf albums felt way big. And then you would see people like tribes suddenly doing songs with like punchline and Wordsworth. And so I was like, oh, okay.

And then, you know, one of the ways I marked this era too is that I was a big music video head. So watching Rap City, watching YomTV raps. And the way I would, experience these shows is that 70% of the stuff of stuff that I was like, okay, you know, this is, I like watching

these shows, I like seeing what's happening. A lot of the videos that they're playing, it's not stuff that I like, but then like every block, there's one video. It's like, oh, that's the one I like. So it's it's, um, it's, um, Miss Fat Booty. Or it's, uh, J.

Roo's, you're playing yourself. Yep. Uh, Fugis. Like, that, that sort of thing. And the Fuljis was another example of what I'm talking about where this underground hip hop trio suddenly sell like 10 million albums or something. Yeah. Like really, really cross over. So there was a moment where we felt like, oh, this is coming back. This is about to be, you know, bigger and better.

And there's going to be more of a balance. And when you look back on it, that, you know, 95 to 2000, that was the golden age of alternative voices having a foothold on that level in the industry. Because I feel like largely it's gone away from that. That makes, that really resonates too. And even Rap City, I remember around the time where their intro became B-Boy Document. Yeah. The later version, you know, with high, mighty, most deaf and skills. And they would even show that part of like the subterranean.

And I was like, wait, and you're absolutely right. Like, you might get two or three videos in that hour or two, but it was mixed in. You know, I remember hearing definition on radio in Pittsburgh from Black Star. It was very hard to find the CD. But we were exposed to it. And then you learn years later about things like the telecommunication Act in 96. And how that changed everything. Yeah.

Yeah, but you're right. Like, Ruckus felt like it was punching up. And, and also it was really cool. And I'm sure you alluded to this with De La, but like, I didn't know Farrow much from Organized Confusion. Like, that was a little bit before my time. So to watch this guy that comes out as a solo artist and has this massive song that is, I don't use these words, but a club banger. Yep. And then to go back and see, oh, my God, and he and Prince Poetry made three really great albums.

Right. And there's a previous history or G-Rap, you know, all these different folks that were coming. as trains on that car, it was really cool. And I love in getting back to the Questlove show conversation, I'm always astonished at how many people in hard-to-reach places right now are pointing back to the same sort of experience that you and I had as fans. Yeah. And saying how inspiring it was to them.

It was a special moment. It really was. And that doesn't, hip-hop is such an interesting phenomenon. historically because there's like this, there's like a constant battle for its soul happening. Like it's a counterculture thing, but it also embraces capitalism. And there's just always this dance. Like, who does it belong to? Does it belong to the people?

Does it belong to the corporations? Does it belong to the rich rappers? Does it belong to the underground rappers? Like, that is a constant sort of tug of war for like the aesthetic heart of this thing. And, you know, the side that I feel like I'm on usually doesn't win like it was winning at that time. And even then, it was, you know, it was a fraction of what was happening. But it just felt so impactful. I'm Ruby Carr, the host of the podcast, Encore.

Check out our brand new episodes featuring music from the show that everyone is reheating as we speak. Heated rivalry. Join me as I go behind the songs that brought Shane and Elia together. I'll tell you the stories of Fice, My Moon, My Man, Wolf Parades, I'll believe in anything, and tattoos all the things she said, and how they all became a part of this global phenomenon. Stream encore on IHeart Radio, crave, or wherever you get your podcasts. Right now, the greatest tournament on the planet is happening on home soil,

and the whole world showed up. Every match, somebody's dream ends and somebody becomes a legend. And if you're feeling all of it, the nerves, the heartbreak, the pure joy, you need people to feel it with. That's us. I'm Castle 1021, and this is the, the 1021 podcast where the World Cup meets the culture. We react to every twist, say the takes nobody else will, play the games, call the shots,

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your podcasts. What's up, fam? I'm sports journalist Ari Chambers. Hey, what's up y'all? It's your girl, Sam J. And we're the host of everyone watches women's sports, a new podcast from Together and I Heart Women's Sports. Because let's be real. Women's sports is giving us way too much to talk about these days. So Kelsey Finler, she became the first female solo rower to go from California to Hawaii. My first thought is, like, what's up with the snacks? Like, what are we eating? The highlights, the rivalries, the breakout stars, the moments that take over your entire timeline.

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You get the palm for that. Because we're not just interested in what happened. We're interested in why everyone's talking about it. Because everyone watches women's sports. Listen to everyone watches women's sports. On the IHeart Radio app. Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, Portlandia fans.

Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen here. You know us, or rather you know them. Tony and Candice, Nina and Lance, Spike, and yes, The Chicken. We've played a lot of iconic characters over the years, but today we're showing up as ourselves to tell you about Podlandia, AEO rewatch, our brand new podcast. Each week we'll revisit an episode of Portlandia from the very beginning, breaking down the sketches, exploring the backstories of our most iconic characters,

revisiting the Portland locations you know and love, and opening up about our creative process. How did any of this get made? Why do we think that was a good idea? We're ready to talk about it. And we'll also be joined by the people who helped bring it all to life. Guestores, collaborators, and friends, including director Jonathan Chrysall, the mayor himself, Kyle McLaughlin, legendary musician Amy Man, and many more.

Kyle is going for it here. You fully improvised, not just words, but a song, a melody. Well, I thought he was going to write. I thought you were all going to write a song for you. I remember you thinking that. Listen to Podlandia. Ayo rewatch on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I get to work with Amir, and we spend time together, we don't talk hip-hop much.

I mean, A, there's a show to produce. Right. But, you know, you don't get the moment. And even in our limited dealings, like we only get but so many moments to fan out. And it was cool. One of the things I liked about Riz that, again, keeps it a totally organic podcast is he put a lot of the questions back to him. Amir. And this, Amir's answer also really intersected with the space.

I look at you and a few other folks, you know, like Blue in Exile or Little Brother, you know, that kept that feeling going of everything that we're talking about. But there was another thing of just like, you know, Amir uses this point. I like people that are different, you know. And I think he was also referring to authentic character-driven rap. And he points to a lot of folks that are in your orbit, you know, cool Keith, E. who's in Philly right now. M.C. Paul Barman.

You know, Doom, folks like that. And I was just curious for you, especially as being, and I'm, this is my opinion, you're in that space as well. Like, what did that mean? Especially after doing a whole season of shows with Amir, kind of talking about his hip-hop worldview as it pertains to his own group.

You know, and that was the interesting thing about it. I've never heard Quest Love's, you know, top five or, you know, five rappers that he would name like that. And it was so interesting not only to hear the names that he said, but for him to be conscious of the notion of, okay, I'm in a group with, you know, a person who's widely considered the greatest rapper all time by a lot of people. And thought it's such a technical marvel and so otherworld.

worldly incredible at like wrapping his ass off literally yeah it's interesting that that sort of informs who a mere points to as a contrast like so it's like it's presupposing that you know of you know about black thought right but he names cool keith and edon and mc paul barman and yeah these are these are interesting voices and i think it really dovetails with something Riz was saying too about how he felt in his modern taste lean towards musicians,

rappers that feel like their authentic selves on a song. And like, cool Keith Edon and Paul Barman. Yes. And Doom, absolutely. I mean, of course, Doom wears a mask and plays a character, but he's a unique human being

on the might. He don't sound like nobody else. He sounds like himself. And that was always the aside from Paul Barman's wordplay, and this was the other thing that was notable to me about Amir saying that is that that is one of the things that first directly linked me and Amir was Amir given Paul Barman a few beats for the album that he did on Melo Music Group when I was on Melo Music Group. And the first song on that album, I can't remember what it's called. But it's, and I know that the album cover is, it's just a set of parentheses, but I can't remember the new one.

Oh, yeah, here. It's right here. Echo Chamber. Echo Chamber. And I think that, so the first song is called Echo Chamber. It's the title track. That is a beat that Amir gave to Paul and Paul asked me to get on. And that was like my first real direct connection to Amir. And that beat is crazy too because it's a, I don't know if you'd call it a remake or a cover. It references elements of the Stereo Lab song that Dilla flipped to make this Buster Rhymes song. Andy in the Milky, I always get the title wrong about it. Yeah, it's my favorite.

Come and play in the Milky Night. Yeah. And I love Stereo Lab. I love the Buster song, the Dillow flipped that B4, show me what you got. Yeah. I love Paul Barman. I love Quest Love.

So being on that song was so big for me. and all of those ways. So I don't know. It was dope to hear Amir's shout Paul Barman, who also just dropped a great album with Kenny Siegel earlier this year. Okay. I need to check that out. It's funny, you know, both iterations of QLS have this habit.

So fun fact, I'll pull the curtain back for one thing. Anytime a song is quoted, sung, hum, Fonte used to just kill it with the humming. Like, he could create a melody. or a baseline off memory perfectly, it goes into a bank. That's something that I heart requires of us. And I'm the guy that does it, and it's secretly one of my favorite parts of my job

because I always listen to everything that is mentioned, and it drives my musical taste. MC Paul Barman is one of those names that came up in your interview, and you spoke about it just now as an impetus of feeling, you know, you could run up on a mirror at an airport. But like, he's, come up two or three times this season.

You know, Amir brings them up. Like, names that aren't always on the tip of your tongue, your Drake's, you're Kendrick Lamar's, meek meal, whatever. Right. Come up. Like, Amy Grant comes up like 30 times in a QLS over different episodes. And I love the organic nature of all that. To echo your point, these are all artists I love. There's a thing called Vinyl Khan going on in Philadelphia this weekend. And Edon, he hasn't put a rap album out in a long time.

I don't think so. He put out... Oh, he did join Homeboy Samman. Yep, that's the one I was about to mention. And that was a few years ago. That was a few years ago now, yeah. And it was great. And they did that video, my man, Photo Rob shot of them in a swimming pool. Shout out to Photo Rob, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You know, but Eidon was spinning at VinylCon. I got to see Boogie Blind yesterday, great set. I was hoping Eidon was Saturday. Turns out he was Sunday. But I'm here with you, and I'm happy about it. But I love all of those. Shout out to Eon, too. That's the homie, man.

Okay. You know, that beauty and the beat is one of the greatest things. I tell him all the time. Like, there's nothing like that. that album. Yep. There's nothing like it. And to merge psychedelia and 80s, I don't want to call it old school, but like, it's gold school. It's old school values, like old school rap values. He's not using like simple words, but an old school approach to rap in. One of my favorite promo items and I've over the years at times where I needed to pay rent or to pay bills or to fill tanks,

I've sold a lot of the things that I've accumulated, you know, being in the industry, but I still have a beauty in the beach shirt and I still wear it. And I've never had anybody ever recognize any of the names on the shirt. And that is a disappointing thing of humanity. Because I sat with it. That's sad. That's a sad thing. Because I lived one day and I was like, that's Lock Kim Chabazz. That's Percy P.

That's Grandmaster. Like, it's also one of the greatest cover art. And you know, I made it himself, too. So not surprising that he made it himself. Man's a true artist. Last thing. Have you had the opportunity yet to see any of the things that Riz has started in new, be it Hamlet or Bate, or some of the past stuff, is that in your... I don't know that I have. I feel like I've got to have seen him in something, but I couldn't tell you what?

Ten years ago, the night of was one of, still to this day, one of the best mini series ever, HBO. It was created by one of Richard Price, who, you know, did Clockers. He wrote the book, did The Wanderer. Like Richard Price is just one of the great novelist to me, and the night of is very dark. And it, you and I will appreciate this. It does feature acting by not just sticky fingers, but also Lord Jamar. I'm looking at this. I think I have seen this, but I don't remember it.

John Tuturo, it's good stuff. It's good stuff. But Riz was really cool. He apologized. He was like, guys, my kids are running down the hall. It turned into a really cool episode. and Riz, if you are listening to this, I'm sorry for that feedback.

I'll fall on my sword for that one. But yeah, man, well, to everyone listening, thank you for checking out these mini episodes. Again, we're just here to unpack a few things, kind of create a show around the show, and just remind folks that we put 50 episodes out a year and we're also doing these. Amir will be back with us very soon.

But until then, man, I know you are going to the East Coast and then jumping over the pond to Europe. So check your open Mike Eagle dates. He won't say it, but I will. I appreciate it. Questlap Show is a production of IHeartRadio. A home world cup only happens once in a lifetime, and we are not missing a second.

I'm Castle 1021. On the 1021 podcast, me and the crew, break down every match like it's personal, the drama, the upsets, the debates you'll be having all day. Soccer, culture, and chaos in one place. Pick aside, we are. already did. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the Iheart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, Portlandia fans. Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen here. The Dream of the 90s is alive in podcast form. We're launching Podlandia, A.O. rewatch, our brand new podcast where we revisit every episode of Portlandia together,

breaking down sketches, going deep on our iconic characters, and pulling back the curtain on how it all got made. And we'll also be joined by the people who helped bring it all to life. guest stars, collaborators, and friends, including director Jonathan Chrysall, the mayor himself, Kyle McLaughlin, legendary musician Amy Mann, and many more. Kyle is going for it here. You fully improvised, not just words, but a song about it.

Well, I thought you were all going to write a song. I remember you thinking that. Listen to Podlandia. A.O. Rewatch on the IHeartRadio Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's sports journalist Ari Chambers. Hey, what's up, y'all? girl Sam Jay. And we're the hosts of Everyone Watches Women's Sports, a new

podcast from Together. We're breaking down the biggest headlines, the viral moments, and the stories everyone's talking about across women's sports. From game-changing performances to culture-shifting conversations we'll give you our takes, our debates, and a few laughs along the way. Because everyone watches women's sports.

Listen to everyone watches women's sports. On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is Chelsea Hanel from Dear Chelsea. Every week, the news gets worse. the world gets crazier, and Yamanika is here to tell whoever's responsible, you're the problem.

Do you know I just found out who Sidney Sweeney was? If he got a bunch of women, then I should have a bunch of men. Do better or do less, so I don't have to do so much. I'm Yamanika, and I'm out. Listen to You're the Problem with Yamanika on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.