Questlove, 'The Daily Show' [VIDEOS]: The Roots Drummer Explains 'Most Influential Moment' in Hip-Hop, Talks New Book 'Mo' Meta Blues'
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson recently wrote a memoir entitled Mo' Meta Blues and he went onto "The Daily Show with John Stewart" last night as part of promoting the book. Host John Oliver (filling in for Stewart as he directs a film) sat down with the drummer of The Roots to talk about the book and specific parts that stood out. Oliver mentions that Mo'Meta Blues features a story involving roller-skating with musician Prince and has a ton of funny footnotes from manager Richard Nichols. But the main point that Oliver wanted to have Questlove elaborate on is how an episode of "The Cosby Show" might have been the most influential moment in the history of Hip-Hop.
"There was an episode of 'The Cosby Show' in which Theo and Denise get hit by Stevie Wonder and Stevie Wonder's way of apologizing for putting their lives in danger is showing them this new tiny, toy sampler [sic.]."
Questlove then goes on to explain how, in the episode, the Huxtable clan go into Wonder's studio and record little samples on the device and how it was essentially the first introduction to sampling for many future producers and hip hop performers.
"They saw this episode and it changed their lives. We never saw a sampler before. The technology was invented but that's the first time we saw it."
Then the "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" drummer explained how one of his Christmas presents from his youth was a toy sampler that he used to say curse words into with friends. From there, we all know that he turned into an incredible hip-hop producer.
Oliver and Questlove even talk about how music has the effect of conjuring up memories at random times just because of the certain song. Check out footage from the interview right here (followed by the clip from "The Cosby Show"):