Questlove Needs a Nap After The Roots’ Craziest Summer Ever

Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson is finally catching his breath after a legendary run. The musician and filmmaker, who co-founded the iconic hip-hop band The Roots alongside Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, opened up about an exhausting yet triumphant season that pushed the group to new heights. Even after decades in the music business, the 55-year-old artist admits the packed schedule recently caught up with him. Between massive festival sets, high-profile civic appearances, and daily television commitments, the band experienced one of the most action-packed stretches of their career.

The highlight of their recent run was undoubtedly the annual Roots Picnic. The multi-day Philadelphia celebration saw the crew bring out massive talent, including headliner Erykah Badu and hip-hop icon Jay-Z. The rare appearance from Jay-Z marked his only non-stadium solo gig of the entire year, giving fans an unforgettable moment. Beyond their own festival, the band traveled overseas to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, returning to the stage more than thirty years after making their initial debut there. They also headed to Chicago to provide music for the opening festivities at the Obama Presidential Center.

While pulling off massive concert dates, the group maintained their day job as the house band for *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*. The musicians have held down the late-night television gig for 17 years, delivering live music night after night without missing a beat. Questlove’s personal workload was just as heavy outside the band. On top of touring and television duties, the Oscar-winning director premiered his latest music documentary focused on the history of Earth, Wind & Fire. Looking back at everything the collective accomplished, Thompson views this period as an unprecedented peak. The bandleader noted that their relentless creative curiosity remains the secret to staying relevant and energized after all these years in the industry.