Mo Meta’ Blues, Memoirs of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson by Ahmir Thompson and Ben Greenman

Mo Meta’ Blues, Memoirs of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
by Ahmir Thompson and Ben Greenman

Maybe around 2004-2005 I ran into Questlove at the Sprint store on Peachtree Street, (the main one not one of those side street ones!). It was not such a great time for your dear old friend Eiliyas as he was barely making enough while working at the Georgia State University library and supplemented his income by selling his own CD’s out of his backpack. I had made enough that day to get my phone cut back on and to get a decent dinner (The $1.99 2 piece 2 sides and a biscuit box from Mrs. Winners, hell I felt so good I got 3 and shared it with my brother).

As I walked into Sprint to pay the bill I bumped into a friend of my brothers’ from FAMU, who was hosting number of Neo-Soul-ish events around the time. His guest this weekend turned out to be Questlove. Being in hustle mode still and adorned with the colorful sack filled with merch I gave him the usual spiel… “1 CD for 10$ or all 3 for 20$. Be warned, this music isn’t for everyone but is good for your soul!”. He looked in his wallet and saw only a hundred dollar bill and handed it to me saying he wished that he would have thought of that hustle. Graciously I thanked him and dodged the side-eye my brothers friend may or may not have been trying to give me.

I’m saying all of this to say that when reading this book it’s a reminder of his honest to good caring, empathy, humility and humour and how it permeates throughout all of the projects that he has been involved with over the years. (although in hindsight after thinking about it, it could have simply been musical curiousity)

Any fan of The Roots or any variation of Neo-Soul should definitely have a good and easy time with this bio. If anyone may want it I could bring it by for them to check out!