In the past 16 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of each of us in some way. For Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, this means buying a farm in upstate New York and even canceling his signature hairstyle.

In an appearance on Wednesday “Fresh Air” by host Terry Gross, The Roots drummer shared how he learned to embrace silence while looking for a rural environment in a public health crisis.

“In terms of self-love, last year was really an important lesson for me,” the musician told Gross. “I am famous for being a machine. I think chaos is the only way I exist. But now I embrace quietness and I can hear my thoughts.”

The Philadelphia native also said that the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed him down and spends more time caring for himself than before.

“Have [the COVID-19 pandemic] It didn’t happen, I might embark on a fast lane to my next life,” Questlove told the NPR host. “As all of your peers in hip-hop can see, many of us…in the club It is victory. ‘okay. I am 35 years old now.I’m too old to be shot in the club,” because this has been a problem in the 90s. Now there is a new kind of “club shot”, namely stroke, cardiac arrest, our mental health, etc. Many of us They don’t even live to be 60 years old; many of my hip-hop peers have succumbed…in their 50s. About 10 a year. So this is a battle to the end. I’m probably in the best place I’ve been. [ever been] immediately. I have lost more than 100 pounds. I am happier. I am very happy to be alive. “

But paying more attention to yourself is not the only change that the public health crisis has brought to Questlove’s life. During the pandemic, the artist changed his iconic African-American hairstyle with a pickaxe.

“I’m kind of retired [the Afro and pick],” Questlove told Gross. “I just think I’m tired of looking for [the Afro pick]The panic like’I have to go back and get my African choice’ really just makes me nervous. “

“When I was in quarantine, I almost kept braiding my braids so that I didn’t have to deal with nightmares for an hour a day,” he continued. “Occasionally I bring out my Afro, but I kind of enjoy an anonymous life, like wearing a mask and braiding, like a place I can go to without being recognized. It’s amazing. So I am enjoying my newly acquired freedom, unlike Questlove.”

The new film director has previously shared how COVID-19 affected the production of his musical documentary “Summer of Souls”, which tells the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969.

Putting the movies together during the pandemic “keep me sane”, Questlove Said last week Appeared in “Late Night with Seth Meyers”.

Guest appearance on “Jimmy Fallon Show Tonight” last month, The musician said that the COVID-19 pandemic and civil strife across the country last year changed the way he and his team handled the project.

“When we entered the lockdown on the first day, we all knew,’Oh, this is true, our lives will never be the same in the future,’ ironically, I have not forgotten what is happening for 50 years The later present, 67, 68, 69, and 70 years happened to us,” Questorov told Fallon. “We see this as an opportunity to make people like Gen Z and Millennials unfamiliar with these behaviors, but why they get together and use their voices to support activism. We really delve into why this is so important.” , So I think it covers everything. Even if you are just for music, or you see information about why this concert must be held, it covers all generations. “

“Summer of Souls” is Can be streamed on Hulu.