We remember The Roots in their embryonic days freestyling with ESPO in the On The Go Repeat Offender VHS. And it’s with some kinda proud avuncular sensibility we’ve enjoyed their rise to being one of the most important bands on the planet. Whether that’s the success of millions of alblum sales, watching Black Thought spit bars from Kool G Rap as they go to ad breaks on the Tonight Show in the US, or noticing that Questlove is now as an award winning film producer.
But here we present another vintage example of Questlove holdin it down, on his first radio set. Here is Senor LOVE Daddy, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of the ‘almighty Roots crew’ as he passes through the studios of BBC Radio One and stands in for Gilles Peterson. It’s a Valentines Weekend special, all the tunes have a love theme and it’s kinda beautiful. It ain’t no quiet storm, but it’s beautiful.
As well as playin some of his favourite music, Amir chats to Jill Scott and Common on the phone, he discusses his desire for flatscreen TVs, the importance of the embryonic website okayplayer.com and recognises playin music on the radio as ‘the greatest gig in the world’ !
Average White Band – Pick Up The Pieces Live
Mic Break
Black Thought ID
Roots – Complexity
Talib Kweli – Get By
Common – Aquarius
Gap Mangione – Diana in the Autumn Wind
Mic Break
Heatwave – Star Of The Story
Mic Break/ Competition
Bill Withers – Kissing My Love
Black Thought ID
Mic Break
Cold Blood – Kissing My Love
Mic Break [Jill Scott Phone Call]
NERD & Kelis – Lil Suzy
Mic Break
Joe Jackson – Steppin Out
Mic Break [Common Phone Call]
Tribe Called Quest – Verses from the Abstract
Heath Brothers – Smilin’ Billy Suite
Bill Withers – Grandma’s Hands
Lenny Kravitz – Low
Roots – Something In The Way Of Things [Feat Amiri Baraka]
Sadly, the BBC Genome option doesn’t cover that period and due to time constraints, these tapes are gathering dust. But even if I did have more time on my hands, there aren’t enough hours in a day to sift through every 120 minute tape [therefore, the FULL broadcasts] just to find a Gang Starr, Roots, Madlib, Roots Manuva, Questlove or Jazzy Jeff guest spot. I’m sure there’s someone out there that has this kind of info/ or an XLS of show lists/ guests…
If anyone can assist with tracklists, playlists or archives of old Worldwide shows [specifically from 1998 – 2005 as I have a large archive, see below], please dont hesitate to get in touch – craig@randomrapradio.com
HUGE shouts and much love to Cosmo Baker, Alex Thompson, Jos and Micky Fuck !!
RANDOM RAP RADIO 