Brief
Questlove talks vulnerability and new creative direction at Variety summit
The Roots drummer reflects on his recent documentaries and a shift toward a more open, change‑making artistic brand.
By Felo News Desk · Published
At the Variety Experience and Culture Summit’s IRL Advantage event, Questlove sat down with Variety reporter Jem Aswad to discuss his evolving creative philosophy and recent documentary work.
What happened
The interview, recorded on Oct. 8, 2026, covered Questlove’s three‑decade career, his role in The Roots, his tenure in Jimmy Fallon’s band, and his work as an adjunct professor at NYU. He highlighted four documentaries he has directed since 2020, including the recent Earth, Wind & Fire film released in June.
What the reports add
Variety notes that Questlove described the Earth, Wind & Fire documentary as a way to “focus on our dreams” and said the project left him feeling like a “new artist.” He also linked the documentary’s research to the reading habits of band founder Maurice White. The outlet reports his comment that “we’re going to implode as a world if we don’t learn what emotions are and how we can use our vulnerability.”
What was said
Questlove told Aswad, “I gotta be the change I want to be,” echoing a cliché he acknowledges. He called Prince his “North Star” when he entered the industry and joked, “this is Questlove 3.0 happening right now.” He reflected on his first documentary, Summer of Soul, saying its timing after the 2020 lockdown and George Floyd protests was crucial, adding that audiences “didn’t realize how important it was to celebrate joy.”
How it came about
The Roots frontman’s shift toward vulnerability ties to his broader work, from producing the Hamilton cast album to hosting a podcast and authoring eight books. His recent documentaries—Summer of Soul (2021), Earth, Wind & Fire (June 2026), and the upcoming Sly Lives!—illustrate a pattern of using film to explore cultural history and personal growth.
Key facts
- Questlove discussed his recent Earth, Wind & Fire documentary at a Variety summit. (variety.com)
- He has directed four documentaries since 2020, including Summer of Soul and Earth, Wind & Fire. (variety.com)
- Questlove said he must be the change he wants to see, calling himself "Questlove 3.0." (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Questlove Reflects on the Power of Vulnerability and Being a Trailblazer: ‘I Gotta Be the Change I Want to Be’”
