Creative Quest

By: Questlove

Narrated by: Questlove, Fred Armisen, Tariq Trotter, Dion Flynn, Robin Thede, Norm MacDonald

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Grammy Nominee

This unique, boundary pushing audiobook features original music by Questlove and members of The Roots with vocal guest appearances from Fred Armisen, Tariq Trotter, Dion Flynn, Robin Thede, “Suga” Steve Mandel, Norm MacDonald, Ludo Lefebvre, and Molly Kelley.

Questlove - musician, bandleader, designer, producer, culinary entrepreneur, professor, and all-around cultural omnivore - shares his wisdom on the topics of inspiration and originality in a one-of-a-kind guide to living your best creative life.

In Creative Quest, Questlove synthesizes all the creative philosophies, lessons, and stories he's heard from the many creators and collaborators in his life, and reflects on his own experience, to advise listeners and fans on how to consider creativity and where to find it. He addresses many topics - what it means to be creative, how to find a mentor and serve as an apprentice, the wisdom of maintaining a creative network, coping with critics and the foibles of success, and the specific pitfalls of contemporary culture - all in the service of guiding admirers who have followed his career and newcomers not yet acquainted with his story.

Whether discussing his own life or channeling the lessons he's learned from forefathers such as George Clinton, collaborators like D'Angelo, or like-minded artists including Ava DuVernay, David Byrne, Björk, and others, Questlove speaks with the candor and enthusiasm that fans have come to expect. Creative Quest is many things - above all, a wise and wide-ranging conversation around the eternal mystery of creativity.

©2018 Questlove (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"[Questlove] produces a quirky audiobook, which he delivers in a lively baritone voice. He doesn't hesitate to break into song, act a part, or, if the situation calls for it, pull out his cell phone and call a friend for the correct pronunciation of a name - while still recording. He even does what most audiobooks fail to do, include sound clips of the music or sounds he discusses. Both a solid guidebook on creativity and a memoir on Questlove, this audiobook is also a lot of fun." (AudioFile)

Interesting but annoying

I could not wait for this book to end. What Questlove has to say is actually quite interesting and helpful. He explains the journey he’s had as an artist and his tune with The Roots, which makes the book a bit autobiographical. He also pulls a lot of examples from not only music but art, comedy, writing, and other artists, which I really appreciate, but JESUS CHRIST was it annoying to listen too. There are times when he’s speaking and it sounds like he’s making it up as he goes and doesn’t know what to say next. There are also times when he mumbles under his breath about something not really related to what he’s talking about, but you can barely hear him so it doesn’t really matter anyway. Quest also keeps randomly plugging The Roots music throughout the entire book, and while it’s good, it’s INCREDIBLY distracting and goes on for way too long. The last 10 minutes is all about how he came up with the artwork for the cover but I have no idea how it happened because The Roots were playing at the same volume as his voice. Maybe there’s a reason for why he chose to plug music where he did that I didn’t catch but to me, it was incredibly random. I mean in the middle of a sentence, 2/3rds of the way through a chapter with no reference to The Roots, music, Jimmy Fallon, nothing that I can think of, for 30 seconds - 5 minutes at a time. And lastly, the MOST annoying part is the stupid echo effect he uses on his voice. From time to time it makes sense, but there are plenty of times that it doesn’t. There’s a chapter where he uses the echo effect for the last 2 minutes of it.

The content of the book is pretty good and it was interesting for the most part but the performance was so hard to get through. There were times when I was literally yelling in the car, begging for Questlove to hurry up with the music or knock it off with the echo effect. If you’re deciding between reading and listening, I’d go with reading.

An inspiring & thought-provoking look into the creative process

Creative Quest is a comprehensive and inspiring look into the creative process. Questlove guides the reader/listener with valuable insights — both his own and from others — that provoke self-reflection and new ideas. At the same time, he courageously exposes his own vulnerabilities, reminding us that even those we look to as role models or place upon pedestals are, themselves, imperfect. His approach is both humbling, and encouraging. You don’t need to be a “creator” to derive value from Creative Quest. We’re all creators in our own way. Questlove: simply, thank you for giving this to the world. It could not have come at a better time for my own personal creative quest!

A better way to understand your creative self.

The entire content was Amazing, only part I felt odd was content on the music albums,But they were something interesting for me.
To mention I got impressed by this audiobook and started to do landscape & macro photography.
Final words, If you think you are creative, you should listen this audiobook, you will respect your creative ideas and start using your Creativity in a effective way.

Questlove spreads the love

Questloves book was amazing to listen to. I read it but loved hearing his enthusiasm for each of his crafts. Creativity is left up to the reader but he gives an over all theme of whatever it takes to drive that creativity or to even define it for oneself is the most important thing an artist can do. And his definition of artist is broad from painters, musicians, chefs etc anyone who puts their mind and love into their craft.
Also, reading it was awesome but hearing the drumbeats and music in the audiobook gave it a pizazz that I really dig. I’m a poet and screenwriter (or aspiring to be) so I will reread and re-listen to this book whenever I need a confidence booster for what dreams I’m reaching for.
Thanks for writing this, Questlove 💛

Questlove is so great

this work is incredibly insightful and challenging, Ahmir is a wonderful light for all the world

Creative But Okay

I feel like he touched on exactly what he felt was necessary and which I applied Questlove for his artistic ability. He gave a simplistic ideas and concepts that makes sense, but maybe just too simplistic. I also see that it wasn't as challenging as it is in the creative process. I would encourage to express m more of the challenges to be creative.

This is a great book!

Quest Love is a great narrator. His personality comes out in every word. I enjoyed hearing his wisdom.

This book is impressive!

A lot of ideas and wisdom for creatives of all disciplines...and very entertaining. Highly recommend.

Loved that it was read by Questlove himself!

I love it when authors read their own writings as you can get the inflections of their voice in the manner in which it was originally meant. Also, I really enjoyed a book about creativity being creative in its own right. The efx and songs incorporated throughout a great!

yes

affirmations on being a creative being charged with lots of nuggets. Ahmir's tone is a fluid stream of thought that feels like you just met the most interesting person in the world and they about to hype you up because they recognize that greatness is within you.