Questlove

We need more drum breaks, this is my gift...”

Hometown:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Label:

Okayplayer, Def Jam

Producer, percussionist, frontman, DJ, restaurateur, author, teacher, thinker, legend… yes, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson works. Trying to track his 30+ year career is a dizzying experience, even without spiralling down the numerous musical wormholes comprising it.

It all kicked off early for Thompson, who grew up in Philly and on the road with his parents’ Doo-Wop band (they didn’t trust babysitters). Age 7 he was drumming on stage. Age 13 he was his father’s musical director. And by his high school graduation, Questlove had formed what would become Grammy Award-winning band The Roots.

He’s worked with some of the most important hip-hop artists of the last two decades, from Badu, D’Angelo, Dilla, Common, Slum Village, John Legend, N*E*R*D - the list goes on and on.

For his Serato collaboration, Questlove strips it back to where it all began - the breaks. Check out our interview with Questlove below and hear him break it all down.

Questlove uses

Pioneer DJ DJM-900NXS2

7'' Serato Pressing - Questlove “Sufro Breaks”

The Sufro Breaks: an exclusive seven-piece collection of drum breaks by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.

This matte black boxset contains seven single 7” records, with seven unique drum beats. The set has the whole spectrum covered across red, brown, blue, lemon-lime, lavender, gold and black records, with each vinyl sitting in a color-matched sleeve.

Original artwork across all jackets, labels and box by Ian Hendrickson-Smith.