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LAist Interview: Questlove
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Questlove on the red carpet last night at the Key Club in West Hollywood host of The Roots Jam Session | Photo by John Wayne Maioriello
Last night, LAist had a spot on the red carpet of the Key Club in West Hollywood, host of The Roots Jam Session sponsored by Rock the Vote, Okayplayer and Keldof.
The Jam Session has become a Grammy weekend tradition, for the last five years, the Philadelphia-based influential hip hop band jam until 4am with a little help from some of music's biggest names who sit in throughout the night.
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We had two goals for the night; grab an interview with The Roots' drummer, Questlove and sneak into the show (we were only given access to the red carpet, we'd need to get our hands on one of those red badges to get into the club). Unfortunately, getting our hands on one of those badges or working our way past the massive men protecting the door was tougher than we expected.
While we were unable to witness one of the best live bands in the world, we were, however, able to get some time with the drummer/producer/DJ/music journalist/blogger minutes before taking the stage.
What can we expect tonight?
We don't really have much planned. I really have no idea what the hell can happen tonight. I just called some friends to come play with us, and here we are.
Who are you excited to see perform tomorrow night at the Grammys?
I am interested in seeing this Time and Rhianna concoction.
What's next for you?
I just finished up Al Green's album, I produced his album. Also finishing up the new Roots album, once Common does his verse on Wednesday the album we'll be all done.
On your MySpace blog, you wrote about your efforts to support the Obama campaign. What did you think of the results of the California primary?
I need to learn to speak Spanish. I need to talk to my brown brothers and sisters. It would have been very helpful. That was one of our downfalls.
The following is an excerpt from Questo's MySpace blog posted Monday
but i know its so easy to dismiss this election as a meaningless process. i mean i dont even know why im doing this. one day i woke up and i just.....
well i felt inspired.
i heard the words of Senator Obama and i really felt like he was being "REAL" with me. not just saying shit i wanna hear while he lays his own agenda into effect while the wool is pulled over my eyes.
and although im not playing the smear game....i'd wish people would cut the "does he have experiene?!?!? card. all these revisionists are mistaking hill's 8 years as first lady as a sign of experience. meanwhile his list of community services goes above and beyond the call of duty.
---actually im really about to put my money where my mouth is. i went to the los angeles headquarters and volunteered my services. its almost 1am and im finna to drive door to door to put pamphlets and voting information on the doors of the potential voters.
we finally have a chance to truly make a change this upcoming election.
i BEG of you people that are able to vote on super tuesday to vote
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