Amir Questlove–Thompson

I don't want to pop any more balloons than I have to, but it's just, again, like, from the artists that I talk to, it's like they might get in their heads that, you know, if I move too much and I'm out of breath... then I won't be able to hit the notes like I normally do. I think people, again, the thriller effect is it must be perfect. And I'm kind of from the school of warts and all.

I love seeing the warts. I love seeing the pimples, the mistakes. To me, that's the human touch. And I think people need to trust that more. Things don't have to be Instagram filter perfect 24-7.

I love seeing the warts. I love seeing the pimples, the mistakes. To me, that's the human touch. And I think people need to trust that more. Things don't have to be Instagram filter perfect 24-7.

I love seeing the warts. I love seeing the pimples, the mistakes. To me, that's the human touch. And I think people need to trust that more. Things don't have to be Instagram filter perfect 24-7.

There's some people, you know what? There's a few artists that are smart enough that will maybe do eight specific takes of a particular performance so that you're under the impression that they are, you know, what's up Detroit? How y'all doing? You know, like they'll go that far. Like I know artists that will do like 10 or 20 versions of a song to sort of customize or not get caught out there.

There's some people, you know what? There's a few artists that are smart enough that will maybe do eight specific takes of a particular performance so that you're under the impression that they are, you know, what's up Detroit? How y'all doing? You know, like they'll go that far. Like I know artists that will do like 10 or 20 versions of a song to sort of customize or not get caught out there.

There's some people, you know what? There's a few artists that are smart enough that will maybe do eight specific takes of a particular performance so that you're under the impression that they are, you know, what's up Detroit? How y'all doing? You know, like they'll go that far. Like I know artists that will do like 10 or 20 versions of a song to sort of customize or not get caught out there.

But I think just in the name of presenting a perfect package, that's what people go through.

But I think just in the name of presenting a perfect package, that's what people go through.

But I think just in the name of presenting a perfect package, that's what people go through.

Yeah, in concert or most, you know, I'm on television. I'll say that 90% of... of, you know, it's very rare for a person to just go 100% live. Like, I'll say that on the Tonight Show, 85 to 90% of what you see is a perfected delivery. Like, in their minds, it's like, I must sell this song to sell my album.

Yeah, in concert or most, you know, I'm on television. I'll say that 90% of... of, you know, it's very rare for a person to just go 100% live. Like, I'll say that on the Tonight Show, 85 to 90% of what you see is a perfected delivery. Like, in their minds, it's like, I must sell this song to sell my album.

Yeah, in concert or most, you know, I'm on television. I'll say that 90% of... of, you know, it's very rare for a person to just go 100% live. Like, I'll say that on the Tonight Show, 85 to 90% of what you see is a perfected delivery. Like, in their minds, it's like, I must sell this song to sell my album.

And so they don't want to leave risk or to chance any, you know, any flub that would make you say, nope, that note was flat, so I'm not supporting that group. So... Yeah, that's kind of where we are now in entertainment.

And so they don't want to leave risk or to chance any, you know, any flub that would make you say, nope, that note was flat, so I'm not supporting that group. So... Yeah, that's kind of where we are now in entertainment.

And so they don't want to leave risk or to chance any, you know, any flub that would make you say, nope, that note was flat, so I'm not supporting that group. So... Yeah, that's kind of where we are now in entertainment.

Exactly. So pretty much it's just part of the course. It's always been that way. But when I go to SNL... Yeah, I'm entertained by what I see, but I'm not sitting in the audience just to watch Saturday Night Live. Like, for me, the best part of the show is what happens in the commercials.

Exactly. So pretty much it's just part of the course. It's always been that way. But when I go to SNL... Yeah, I'm entertained by what I see, but I'm not sitting in the audience just to watch Saturday Night Live. Like, for me, the best part of the show is what happens in the commercials.

Exactly. So pretty much it's just part of the course. It's always been that way. But when I go to SNL... Yeah, I'm entertained by what I see, but I'm not sitting in the audience just to watch Saturday Night Live. Like, for me, the best part of the show is what happens in the commercials.

Like, watching the Teamster guys and the crew guys, like, at furious pace, in two minutes, like, build an entire set while, you know, the artists are quick-changing in the back, and, well, they make it in two minutes flat, and... To me, that's the best part of the show, like watching the choreography of a well-oiled machine.