Questlove

Questlove has found himself embroiled in a racial discrimination lawsuit after two former employees of 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon' accused him of deliberately getting them fired because they are white. He has since not only denied the allegations, but taken deep offence to the context.

Questlove at the AMNH Museum Gala

The lawsuit alleges that camera operators Kurt Decker and Michael Cimino were dismissed from the show last summer after reporting an 'an unsolicited racist and misogynist text message from a Tonight Show stagehand' to The Roots' manager Keith McPhee and production manager Bryon King.

Continue reading: Questlove Denies Racial Discrimination Against White 'Tonight Show' Employees

Is there a more cool collaboration anywhere than Phil Collins and the Roots? Didn't think so. The former Genesis singer and drummer teamed his band with Questlove and company for a stunning rendition of his classic hit 'In the Air Tonight' on 'The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon'. 

Phil Collins is joined by Questlove for 'In The Air Tonight'

The legendary drummer, whose best known for his sensational multi-Platinum debut single, joined Jimmy Fallon on his show on Tuesday (October 25th 2016) where he performed alongside another drumming genius, Questlove. Needless to say, Questlove absolutely nailed the world famous drum sequence from 'In the Air Tonight' and the crowd roared its approval when his time arrived. Indeed, he looked positively thrilled with himself after that, grinning with a mixture of relief and pride. Because there's no greater honour as a drummer than to perform with such a pioneer.

Continue reading: Something In The Air? Phil Collins Performs With Questlove On 'Jimmy Fallon'

The Lego Movie may not have made it onto the nominees list, but it did make it into the Oscars ceremony and that’s good enough. What better way to revive a stuffy, vaguely morose awards ceremony. Tegan and Sara, plus a massive ensemble cast, took it upon themselves to inject some life back into the night, dominated by heavy social subjects.

Tegan and Sara gave an aptly awesome performance of Everything is Awesome on the Dolby Theater stage.

Better yet, they were joined by Andy Samberg’s comedy-music troupe The Lonely Island, plus Questlove on drums and what looked like Will Arnett in a Batman costume. It’s pretty much your dream Oscars ensemble, right? Or at least a pretty cool NBC alumni reunion.

Continue reading: Tegan And Sara, Questlove And Andy Samberg Revive Oscars With "Everything Is Awesome" Performance

Firstly, we recognise that reporting on a mixture of New York parties, eclectic performances and signature lectures from prominent music movers and shakers could seem, well, immaterial. Let's face it, Gotham is one long eclectic party - but the Red Bull Music Academy Festival is different. The Academy itself, which took place in New York in 2013 and will visit Tokyo this fall, is a travelling series of music performances, club nights, lectures, workshops, art installations and more founded in 1998 - it doesn't look to create "stars" (despite notable participants including Aloe Blacc, Flying Lotus, Hudson Mohawke and Juan Son), instead it looks to bring together music makers from around the globe. Think of it as a mobile behemoth of culture, skills and sound. 

The newly created 'RBMA Festival ' - now taking place annually in New York City - is a legacy to the critically acclaimed Red Bull Music Academy that took place in New York in 2013. It is a month-long blowout that brings together a diverse group of the world's most creative young musicians. Since May 1st, this year's programme has blanketed the boroughs with a selection of richly curated events - and you're invited to the ultimate wrap party. But more on that soon. 

Continue reading: Red Bull Music Academy Festival Set For Ultimate Closing Party In New York

Tributes have been pouring in for Frankie Knuckles, the pioneer of house music who died on Monday night (March 31) aged 59. Knuckles relocated to Chicago from New York City in the 1970s, delighting audiences with his sprawling epic sets at his clubs The Warehouse and The Power Plant.

Frankie's close friend and associate David Morales tweeted: "I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today. Can't write anymore than this at the moment. I'm sorry."

Continue reading: The Best Tributes To House Music 'Father' Frankie Knuckles

'A Band Called Death,' the Audience Award Winner at this year's SXSW Festival, is set to hit movie theaters in the U.S. on June 8, 2013. The documentary follows the story of Detroit brothers Bobby and Dannis Hackney and their friend Dobbie Duncan who formed proto-punk band Death, despite Motown and Disco's dominance of the early seventies black music scene.

As you'd expect, nobody was willing to give the boys a chance and a record deal appeared a million miles away. In 1974, the group was approached by Columbia Records mogul Clive Davis, though he requested the band choose a more commercially relatable name - they refused. Death disbanded in 1977, as white punk bands The Ramones and the Sex Pistols began to stamp their authority on the genre. However, nearly 30 years later, Death's demo tape found its way out of hiding and was played to a new generation of fans who appreciated the inspirational sound of the world's first black punk band. Directed by Jeff Howlett and Mark Covino, the movie is already getting comparisons to Oscar winning movie Searching for Sugar Man. Questlove is a fan too, tweeting after a recent screening, "if "Sugarman" doc moved you....this will be your music doc of the year."

Continue reading: 'A Band Called Death' Follows Detroit Brothers Making 'White Boy Music' [Trailer]

There must have been something in the air this year because we literally had too many celebrity weddings to choose from for this list (sorry Alec Baldwin, you can stop reading now, you got bumped), and it was a tough job whittling it down to 10. So, who DID make the grade in our run-down 2012’s best nuptials?

10. Amber Tamblyn and David Cross

What was the highlight of actress Amber Tamblyn and actor David Cross’ wedding? Well, sadly, even Tamblyn’s stunning gown couldn’t upstage the antics of their unofficial photographer, Questlove. The happy snapper not only DJ’d at the wedding, but also decided to take a number of pics of the happy couple and stick them on his Instagram account. The Roots drummer revealed pretty much everything from the bride’s arrival, to the cutting of the cake, using the hashtag #weddinginthewoods. So, Amber and David – you just about made the grade, but you have your crazy DJ to thank for it.

Continue reading: Top 10 Celebrity Weddings Of 2012: From Nutty Nuptials To Classy Ceremonies

Ok, so it wasn't quite neo-soul, but it did feature Questlove and The Roots as the backing band. Mariah Carey stopped by the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon this week and was roped into performing her classic Christmas hit, still considered by many to be the finest of all the famous festive song.

The Roots took to their kid-sized toy instruments, including xylophone, bongos, rattlers, wood blocks and drums, while a chorus of children chimed in on background vocals - of course, Mariah's powerful vocals give things a bit of authenticity. However, we reckon the highlight of the evening was Questlove's holiday sweater - a disastrously cream Christmas zip-down creation. Fallon started things off, singing the ditty's opening lines, "I don't want a lot for Christmas. There is just one thing I need," before taking to the drums, tambourine and kazoo and letting Mariah take over. Writing on her Twitter page later, the 42-year-old singer wrote: "Join the fun + sing along to my festive 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' collabo with @jimmyfallon & @theroots!!!" Fallon tweeted, "@mariahcarey + theroots + Classroom Instruments. So fun."

As is becoming tradition, Mariah has been doing the Christmassy promotional rounds this year, last week performing her famous track at the annual tree-lighting ceremony at New York's Rockefeller Center.

Continue reading: Video: Mariah Carey Performs Neo-Soul Rendition Of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'

Amber Tamblyn's dress was the real star of the show as the American actress and poet tied the knot with comedian and actor David Cross at a wonderful looking ceremony at the weekend. There was no press photography there, but who needs them when you've got DJ and music producer Questlove around to go snap-happy for you. The 41 year-old couldn't seem to help himself and on his Instagram, among other photos, there are a couple of glorious pictures of Tamblyn looking resplendent in a bright yellow, non-traditional dress.

In a classy looking location - pictures show Tamblyn stepping out of a boat with a lake and a lush-looking wood behind it - the couple were wedded with others in attendance including recently married Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively (also snapped by the ever reliable Questlove), whilst E! Online reports that Tamblyn's other 'Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants' co-stars America Ferrera and Alexis Bledel were also there, as was Amy Poehler, who recently split from her husband Will Arnett. American rock band Yo La Tengo provided the music.

Questlove really got pretty close up to the bride and groom, with one very intimate shot showing the moment when the pair of them cut the cake. With a man like him around, the paparazzi should be looking over their shoulders.