Ahmir Khalib Thompson (born January 20, 1971), known professionally as ?uestlove or Questlove (also known as Questo, BROther ?uestion, Brother Question, Qlove, or Questlove Gomez), is an American percussionist, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, music journalist, record producer, and occasional actor. He is best known as the drummer and joint frontman (with Black Thought) for the Grammy Award-winning band The Roots, serving since February 17, 2014, as the in-house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the same role he and the band served during the entire 969-episode run of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
He has produced for artists including Elvis Costello, Common, D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Jay-Z, Nikka Costa, and more recently, Al Green, Amy Winehouse, and John Legend. He is a member of the production teams the Soulquarians, The Randy Watson Experience, The Soultronics, and The Grand Wizzards.
Ahmir Khalib Thompson was born in Philadelphia on January 20, 1971. His father was Lee Andrews of Lee Andrews & the Hearts, a 50s doo-wop group. His mother, Jacquelin Thompson, together with his father, was also part of the Philadelphia-based soul group Congress Alley. His parents did not want to leave him with babysitters, so they took him on tour with them. He grew up in backstages of doo-wop shows. By the age of seven, Thompson began drumming on stage at shows, and by 13, had become a musical director.
Coffer cafe's dizzy with city lights, concrete sidewalks busy with friendly fights
But that's alright baby, it's alright come go with me and you will see city life, city life
Loud paper boys yelling yesterday's news, a pedlar man selling what you can't use
That's alright baby, it's alright come go with me, you will see city life, city life
I need you when the sun goes down, you pick me up when you're around
Come on, come on now, we can have a good time, this town ain't much unless you're here with me
It's like a woman, crazy just like a puppy, lazy
Just like a pretty jealous wife, I can't get free from city life
Secluded bars humming behind the scenes, hot wild guitars strumming, promising dreams
That's alright baby, it's alright come go with me and you will see city life, city life
I don't want to be alone, stay with me now, don't go home
It's a date, we'll stay out late and party, city lifes okay when you're with me
It's like a lion sleeping just like a willow weeping,
A melting pot for fun and strife can't get away from city life