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Ahmir Questlove Thompson
Ahmir Questlove Thompson
00:52

Ahmir Questlove Thompson

The Roots

Philadelphia, PA USA

"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."

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Ahmir Questlove's work combines: Art, Music, and Being Creative

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Day In The Life

Drummer

I'm the drummer for "The Roots," appearing on "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Started drumming at the age of two, got his first drum set when he was eight.

  • 2.

    Would practice three to five hours every day as a kid.

  • 3.

    Heard Grammy-winner Wynton Marsalis say he practiced eight hours a day and knew he had to step it up.

  • 4.

    The Roots started out busking on the streets of Philadelphia, felt lucky if they made twenty dollars in a day.

  • 5.

    After signing their first contract, band moved to Europe to tour, spent nights in two-star hotels.

  • 6.

    Says he works an average of 18-20 hours a day-like a hamster, he's always spinning his wheel.

  • 7.

    Treats each new year like a game of Russian Roulette: take a risk, see if you make it through, take another.

  • 8.

    Stresses the importance of "proper planning"-like a chess player, always be thinking 12 steps ahead.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from undefined:

  • How I responded:

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • I got accepted to Julliard in New York, but because of my financial situation I couldn't afford to live in New York City.