Questlove Explains Why Recent DJ Gig For Obamas Was "The Worst" Of His Life

BY Erika Marie 6.6K Views
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Questlove
Although his good friend and former president praised Questlove for a job well done, the Roots icon wasn't satisfied with his performance.

Hailed as one of the greatest drummers in Hip Hop, Questlove's impact is unmatched. He's not only a part of one of the most respected Hip Hop groups—The Roots—but he continues to shine on late-night television as well as behind turn tables. His DJ skills are nothing to sneeze at as he's often requested to work private parties for his celebrity friends which include the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama. 

The former president is quite familiar with what's trending on the charts and he recently shared his annual playlist. Apparently, said Questlove, the Obamas had a shindig recently where he acted as DJ, but it didn't go according to plan.

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"I'm sorry...he hates when I tell this story," he told Distractify, referencing Obama. "One of the worst DJ gigs of my life was DJing Obama's last week at the White House," Questlove explains. "It turned out to be a lesson that I didn't know I needed to learn. I say it's the worst DJ gig of my life and he [Barack] says, 'That's nonsense. We had the time for our lives.' But what I wanted to do didn't happen." 

Questlove also spoke about his relationship with DJing, as it gives him a connection to the people listening to the music he's playing while also creating distance and solitude.

"DJing is a social shield," he added. "Maybe it allows me to have the loudest voice in the room. It allows me to be present in the room and allows no personal interaction, so even as I speak I'm trying to analyze like, why is it that my presence is required."

Check out a clip from 2018 of Questlove speaking about how DJing for Obama almost caused him to quit altogether.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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