Questlove: The Musician with a Unique Personality

Summary

In this article, we delve into the life of Questlove, the American musician and DJ. We explore his fear of Googling himself, his love for his afro pick, and his preference for trashy drum sounds. We also discuss his custom in-ear microphones and his vinyl collection of over 200,000 records. Lastly, we touch on his friendship with the late Anthony Bourdain and his top 10 favorite albums.

Questlove’s Fear of Googling Himself

In the Wired autocomplete interview, Questlove mentioned that he is afraid to Google himself and prefers typing his own name. He also expressed his surprise that the phrase “buy houses to stack records” is searchable on Google. Despite his fear, Questlove is a well-known musician and writer, and his contributions to the music industry are recognized worldwide.

Questlove’s Unique Afro Pick

Questlove is known for his large afro, which he keeps in place with an afro pick. He once revealed that he lost $80 in his hair at a strip club, and security did not allow him to touch it. Questlove’s afro pick is a part of his unique personality, and it has become a trademark of his appearance.

Questlove’s Preference for Trashy Drum Sounds

Questlove plays Ludwig drums and prefers a trashy, dirty sound. He owns around 70 drum sets but prefers the cheaper, more accessible versions. When DJing, he uses Audio Technica’s M50 headphones for their durability. He also uses Zildjian’s FX Stack cymbals for their trashy sound.

Questlove’s Custom In-Ear Microphones

Questlove, a professional drummer and writer, uses custom in-ear microphones by Jerry Harvey Audio when performing. He enjoys the feeling of getting foam put in his ear, and he finds that the custom in-ear monitors provide better sound quality and isolation.

Questlove’s Vinyl Collection of Over 200,000 Records

Questlove has a vinyl collection of over 200,000 records, which started when a stranger named Elli gave him his first three records and a record player when he was five years old. He has a desire to buy houses to stack his record collection. Questlove’s love for vinyl is evident in his music, and his collection is a testament to his dedication to the art form.

Questlove’s Friendship with Anthony Bourdain

Questlove shares an anecdote about his friendship with Anthony Bourdain, who hated yacht rock music. Questlove would play Billy Joel as walkout music for Bourdain to annoy him, and after Bourdain’s passing, Questlove made a 700-song yacht rock playlist on Spotify as a tribute to him. Their friendship was a testament to their shared love of music and their unique personalities.

Questlove’s Top 10 Favorite Albums

Lastly, Questlove lists his top 10 favorite albums, with “Person to Person Live 1976” by The Average White Band being his number one pick. He notes that Google was kind to him in this search, unlike his fear of Googling himself. Questlove’s top 10 favorite albums are a reflection of his eclectic taste in music and his dedication to the art form.

Conclusion

Questlove is a unique musician with a personality that shines through in his music and his life. From his fear of Googling himself to his love for his afro pick, Questlove is a testament to the power of individuality in the music industry. His contributions to the art form will continue to inspire generations to come.