How much Questlove? Never enough! Which is fortunate, because the man who put the bizzy in show biz is juggling an abundance of projects. The drummer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon house band The Roots teamed with Icona Pop to update of the 1986 Nu Shooz hit “I Can’t Wait” for Target’s “This Is Plaid” ad campaign. To freshen up the disco classic — used to great effect in Hot Tub Time Machine — the mixmaster leverages the Swedish duo’s “trademark exuberance,” managing to keep the song “as funky as ever,” according to Stereogum. Endlessly repeatable, it’s the perfect backing track to one’s day (and, somewhat inexplicably, makes me want to wear plaid!)
Questlove is becoming a defacto house DJ for Target, having earlier this year coupled with Charli XCX to reimagine Dee-lite’s ’90s anthem “Groove Is In The Heart” for another campaign (also fun, if not quite as iconic).
But wait, that’s not all! Questlove will headline with Mariah Carey and the characters of “Sesame Street” at the 89th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, store officials announced today. The program is expected to draw 50 million viewers when NBC broadcasts it Nov. 26. Cirque du Soleil cast members, Pat Benatar, Andy Grammer, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, Daughtry, Trey Songs and Jordin Sparks will also perform.
Ay, abbondanza! The rhythmist is hungry for more! He has a new book, “Something to Food About: Exploring Creativity with America’s Most Innovative Chefs,” due in April 2016. A food enthusiast who has for years hosted dining salons where rotating chefs share choice creations, the musician shares his passion on Instagram @questlovesfood. The book will be his third, following the memoir “Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove” and “Soul Train: The Music, Dance and Style of a Generation,” which examines the phenomenon of the popular TV show.
But the most momentous sideline the Quester has undertaken recently is that of executive music producer for A&E’s four-night, eight-hour remake of the seminal “Roots” miniseries, set to air in 2016, starring Forest Whitaker and Anna Paquin.
For this project, the Grammy-winning artist is charged with creating “the authentic African sound and themes for the characters as well as produce the overall sound as the music progresses each nigh,” according to the network.
Hear the Nu Shooz version of “I Can’t Wait,” first recorded in 1984, but appearing on the charts in 1986.
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