Ahmir Questlove's Open Road
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Interview (5:17)
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Chess (1:19)
Interview Excerpt -
Russian Roulette (0:39)
Interview Excerpt -
Art and Business (0:59)
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Cool with the Truth (0:56)
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Personal Motivation (0:46)
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Hard Work (0:51)
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INTERVIEWED BY:
Team Canada
AHMIR QUESTLOVE THOMPSON
Drummer
The Roots
“I don't know if anyone who's truly successful feels a sense of completion. I think it's just a constant mission to stay ahead.”
INTERESTS:
THEMES DISCUSSED:
Choices Planning Values Chance Opportunity Risk Doubt Focus Pressure Dedication Fulfillment Goals Hard Work Passion Success Money & Financial Security Societal Pressures
FOUNDATION:
BIOGRAPHY:
- Started drumming at the age of two, got his first drum set when he was eight.
- Would practice three to five hours every day as a kid.
- Heard Grammy-winner Wynton Marsalis say he practiced eight hours a day and knew he had to step it up.
- The Roots started out busking on the streets of Philadelphia, felt lucky if they made twenty dollars in a day.
- After signing their first contract, band moved to Europe to tour, spent nights in two-star hotels.
- Says he works an average of 18-20 hours a day-like a hamster, he's always spinning his wheel.
- Treats each new year like a game of Russian Roulette: take a risk, see if you make it through, take another.
- Stresses the importance of "proper planning"-like a chess player, always be thinking 12 steps ahead.