AceShowbiz - Questlove, the acclaimed drummer of The Roots and visionary behind the Soulquarians collective, has revealed plans for a revival of the influential group that shaped hip-hop and R&B in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

During a recent episode of his podcast The Questlove Show, Questlove shared that a more streamlined version of the Soulquarians is set to reunite. This iteration will include himself alongside key original members such as R&B legend Bilal and producer/multi-instrumentalist James Poyser. “James, myself, Bilal—the fragments that are left of the Soulquarians... we spoke. The family’s going to get back together,” he stated.

The reunion comes amid a sense of urgency following the deaths of iconic artists Prince in 2016 and D’Angelo in 2025, both closely connected to the Soulquarians' legacy. Questlove expressed feeling a renewed responsibility to continue the mission of preserving thoughtful, analog-driven music. “Now that [D’Angelo] is not here, I feel that responsibility more than ever,” he reflected.

It remains unclear whether other surviving members of the collective—such as Erykah Badu, Common, Q-Tip, and Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def)—will participate in the upcoming revival.

The original Soulquarians movement was centered at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City, the iconic space once owned by Jimi Hendrix. Between 1999 and 2002, this collective of innovative artists created landmark albums that continue to influence music today. Notable works include D’Angelo’s Voodoo, Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun, and Common’s Like Water For Chocolate.

In his 2013 memoir Mo’ Meta Blues, Questlove described the Soulquarians as a “utopian paradise,” inspired by the spirit of the Native Tongues movement. However, tensions arose around the group’s peak, partly due to a 2000 VIBE magazine article that unintentionally sowed discord among members.

Questlove recalled an incident from that time: “I was in Chicago for a D’Angelo show … Someone came up and tapped me on the shoulder. ‘Ahmir, it’s Mos [Def]. He wants to talk to you.’” Mos Def questioned his association, saying, “I’m not an Aquarian … Does that mean I’m not a real Soulquarian?” Soon after, Q-Tip and Erykah Badu also expressed concerns over how the article portrayed their roles, fearing misrepresentation.

Reflecting on the situation, Questlove admitted, “When I [checked out the story], I could see their point … It was at that moment that I realized that the paradise I had imagined wasn’t headed in a good direction.”

Despite past challenges, the forthcoming Soulquarians reunion signals a hopeful return for one of hip-hop and R&B’s most beloved and influential collectives, aiming to carry forward their legacy into the future.