After we introduced this new award and superlative last year during our five year anniversary and name the fist recipient Damon Albarn, we knew we had to follow-up Albarn's image and legacy and raise the bar with someone really special.
From backing The Roots for nearly four decades, appearing every night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, running Okayplayer records, DJing, producing, owning a clothing store, making his stance known on social issues, curating the annual Roots picnic each summer and now teaching at NYU - Questlove of The Roots is officially a icon.
Questlove, like Albarn, casts a wide net in the music world while doing so much. From producing D'Angelo's new record, to getting himself involved in charity gigs and taking hip-hop to a whole other level. From his vast knowledge of rock, soul, blues, funk, and hip-hop, Questlove has led The Roots to massive acclaim and manages to morph his way into any sound and style. Always open to the latest trends in music but never brushing over the legends and icons of the past - those popular and those underrated, Questlove gives his love and life to music and for that, he is our icon.