Social Media Spotlight:
Questlove
During quarantine, DJ sets have provided a welcome distraction and have served as virtual spaces for people to come together. Questlove has kept the music going with nightly sets that are equally entertaining as they are educational.
When the quarantine entered into our lives, the DJs came to the rescue. We’ll spare the “music is so powerful, man” but there has to be something said for the way that an accomplished DJ can bring people together to appreciate music, especially in a digital space, and The Roots’ Questlove is one of the very best at doing just that.
For numerous nights during quarantine, fans could venture to The Roots’ YouTube page or Questlove’s Instagram where they could find the drummer delivering well-curated, engaging sets that educated and showed off his encyclopedic knowledge of black music history. Like all great DJ sets, Questlove is able to move the (virtual) crowd while putting you onto something. In the wake of Instagram’s crackdown and removal of streams where DJs play more than 30-seconds of a song, Questlove put it best: “The ENTIRE world is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. DJs are heroes. They are providing essential services and calm.” Anyone who has watched Questlove’s sets can attest.
Bill Withers tribute set
When the iconic singer-songwriter Bill Withers passed away in March, Questlove delivered a four-hour tribute set to the late great legend.
Questlove spins hip-hop deep cuts
Quest shows how deep his crates run with an all hip-hop set full of deep cuts and forgotten gems.
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Charli XCX
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Miley Cyrus
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Big Freedia
If you need some N.O. bounce, Big Freedia has you covered. Every Friday, the New Orleans legend hosts her “Friday Night Shakedown” on Facebook and Instagram.