December 12th 2023.
Questlove, the multifaceted musician, author, and director, candidly shared the intense stress he experienced in planning the tribute to 50 years of hip-hop at the Grammy Awards during an interview on Grammy.com on Dec. 7. Frustrated with being on the sidelines, he embraced the chance to be a catalyst for change, debunking the perception that he was merely a “suit.” He was initially hesitant, but recognized the importance of seizing the opportunity to influence the course of hip-hop representation in the industry.
“The thing that really motivated me — Look, man, roll up your sleeves and run through this mud — was like, if there ever was going to be a hip-hop time capsule, a lot of the participants in this show are somewhere between the ages of 20 and 60, and everybody’s still kind of in their prime,” Questlove stated to Grammy.com. He orchestrated a seamless collaboration between legendary figures like Grandmaster Flash and contemporary artists like Lil Uzi Vert.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the stress, Questlove confessed that the pressure led to the loss of two teeth by the project’s conclusion. He described the surreal moment, saying, “That’s the level of stress I was [under]. Imagine landing in JFK, and I got to rush to ‘The Tonight Show,’ but then it’s like, Oh, wait, what’s happening? Oh God, no! My teeth are falling out! And going to emergency surgery. My whole takeaway was like: Never again.”
The 12-minute performance concluded, and Questlove found himself on an airplane heading back to New York. Little did he know, the stress had reached such extremes that it became a visceral, physical manifestation. It was a lesson he would never forget.
Questlove's story shows the immense pressure and stress people in the industry face. His experience serves as a reminder that while we may strive for success, we must also recognize our limitations and take the time to take care of ourselves.
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