What Had Happened Was

In this conversation, IDK and OME discuss his latest project, 'Even The Devil Smiles,' exploring the distinction between mixtapes and albums, the impact of his prison experience on his music, and the evolution of rap during his incarceration. He reflects on his influences, the challenges of navigating the music industry independently, and the importance of authenticity and significant collaboratio...

Between WHHW seasons we're introducing What Had Happened Once, one-off interviews showcasing the history and legacy of rap music. This is a live conversation with Dr. Todd Boyd aka The Notorious PHD from the Chicago Humanities Festival 2024 on his new book Rapper's Deluxe, a full flavored re-contextualization of hip hop history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our season 4 finale we conclude the story of The Roots' 4th studio album Things Fall Apart. In discussing the release and reception of that album we hear the story of the infamous Soulquarian photo shoot for Vibe magazine featuring Questlove, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Dilla, Erykah Badu and more. Where it may have looked like the start of a movement to fans of these artists, according to Questlove himsel...

In this episode of our season-long sitdown with Questlove we dig even deper into the creation of Things Fall Apart starting with the conclusion of the You Got Me sage then unpacking album highlights like Act Too (Love of my Life) featuring Common and Doube Trouble featuring Yasiin Bey fka Mos Def. The latter story containing a retelling of the moment Questlove knew he needed to level-up his produc...

In this episode of our season long interview with Questlove, we continue the story of Things Fall Apart. We hear the stories behind Table of Contents, Step into the Realm, Adrenaline featuring Beanie Siegel and the difficulty in constructing the hit single You Got Me. In the story of the latter we hear how The Roots encountered Jill Scott and the factors that led to her replacement on the song by...

In this episode we arrive at The Roots' breakthrough album 1999's Things Fall Apart. With the success of the single and video for What They Do positioning them for stardom they begin to put together the Philadelphia open mic scene that would attract talents like Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild and more for legendary jam sessions. Plus a superproducer from Detroit emerges as the guiding light for a new...

In this episode Questlove concludes the story of The Roots' third studio album Illadelph Halflife with the fallout from the release of the single and infamous video for their breakthrough single 'What They Do'. The song's success was everything they wanted but the cost was unimaginable. This episode contains one of the greatest stories in What Had Happened Was history. Learn more about your ad cho...

We're deep into the creation of The Root's third stuudio album Illadelph Halflife. In this episode Questlove shares the story behind legendary underground single Clones plus how Chicago's Common became a fixture in the budding post-Native Tongues scene. Around this time The Fugees emerge as friendly rivals as the two groups share stages all over the country. Hear how one live hip-hop band pushed t...

In this episode Questlove takes us back to 1994 to tell the story of the creation of The Roots' third album Illedelph Halflife. This album marked a notable and near controversial direction change in the group's sound and in this conversation we learn what motivated it and the existential crisis it created for this founding member. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the conclusion of the story of 'Do You Want More?!!!??!' , Questlove reveals how The Roots met Rahzel the human beatbox and how their first improvised session together became a track on the album. We hear the original plan for the album's ending and how it pivoted to the epic Ursula Rucker poem that stunningly ends the LP plus more on Dice Raw, Malik B and the rest of the Legnedary Roots Crew L...

In this episode Questlove continues the story of the creation of The Roots' 2nd studio album "Do You Want More?!!!??!". Hear the musical inspiration behind their breakthrough single 'Proceed', their experience with legendary audio engineer Bob Power and witness one of the greatest displays of rap prowess of all time as Black Thought shows how he is indeed 'every MC'. Learn more about your ad choic...

In this episode of his season long sitdown with Open Mike Eagle, Questlove begins the story of The Roots' major label debut Do You Want More?!!!??!. The story begins with the group's signing party where they meet future rivals and Questlove receives some difficult family news. This leads into the album sessions where we here how classic songs like Proceed, Swept Away and Silent Treatment were conc...

In this episode of our season long interview with Questlove, we hear the next step in the journey of The Roots through the process of recording their first LP, 1993's Organix. They entered the studio as a busking group and had to learn how to become recording artists on the fly. Hear how this process formalized the group's membership and how these sessions began the tug-of-war between live instrum...

In episode 2 of this season long interview with Questlove, we continue the story of the formation of The Roots as Questlove and Black Thought cycle through names, start performing live and eventualy end up in the studio for the first time where they begin work on what will become their first album Organix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the season 4 premiere of What Had Happened Was, host Open Mike Eagle sits down with legendary band-leader, drummer and Oscar winner Questlove for the first session of their season-long interview series. In this initial conversation Questlove unpacks his childhood musical beginnings, his introduction to hip-hop and the lie that led to the formation of The Roots in high school. Learn more about y...

Coming soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary Queens rapper-turned show host N.O.R.E. teams up with Miami hip-hop pioneer DJ EFN for a night of boozy conversation and boisterous storytelling. The hosts and guests engage together in fun, light-hearted conversation - looking back at their paths to success, highlighting their lives, friendships, and iconic moments within their career. In this unfiltered series, drinks are flowing and j...

in this bonus episode from the What Had Happened Was vault, Dante Ross tells the story of working on Everlast's second album, and their collaboration with Carlos Santana "Put Your Lights On' which led to the trio winning a Grammy. Dante goes in-depth on the recording of the song and what it meant for him and his family to be working with the legendary guitarist Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

Rap Radar is the home of hip-hop’s most revealing interviews. Each week, famed journalists Elliott Wilson and Brian ‘B.Dot’ Miller invite A-listers from across the hip-hop industry to sit down for the definitive conversation around life experiences, music and culture. Listen to new episodes every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

In our season finale we pick up with Dante Ross's story after the massive success of Whitey Ford Sings the Blues. He wins a Grammy for a record with Everlast and Carlos Santana and goes on to become a sought after producer and remixer before returning to A&R in a very different music business. Hear about it all and what's coming in the future for a music business legend. Learn more about your ad c...

After leaving Elektra Records, Dante Ross started working less behind the scenes and along with his partner John Gamble, went deeper than ever into production. Having known Everlast from the House of Pain and Rhyme Syndicate days, they began working on an album that would change all of their lives: Everlast's multi-platinum solo debut, Whitey Ford Sings the Blues Learn more about your ad choices....

Near the end of his run at Elektra Records, Dante Ross signed Ol Dirty Bastard after hearing him feature on Wu-Tang's first single 'Proteck Ya Neck'. Dante worked closely with ODB aka Ason Unique aka Big Baby Jesus on his debut album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version and in the process became familiar with all of the aspects of this talented, charismatic and at times troubled superstar....

In the middle of his legendary run as an A&R at Elektra Records, Dante signed Del The Funky Homosapien, the teenage cousin of Ice Cube and founding member of the Hieroglyphics Crew. Their partnership saw the release of Del's first two albums, "I Wish My Brother George Was Here' and 'No Need For Alarm'. We hear the story of the emergence of the Oakland MC and the rise of his legendary crew.. Learn...

Dante Ross signed Pete Rock and CL Smooth to Elektra Records after becoming familiar with them through Pete Rock's promos on Marley Marl's radio show. He worked with the duo on their debut EP All Souled Out and two classic LPs, 'Mecca and the Soul Brother' and 'The Main Ingredient'. In this episode we hear first hand about the creation of the music and how Pete Rock's production techniques revolut...

During his legendary run as an A&R at Elektra Records, Dante Ross signed a rap trio out of Long Island NY called KMD. After overseeing and releasing their debut album Mr. Hood, one of the members of the group, DJ Subroc, tragically died. The remaining core member of the group was Subroc's brother Zev Love X and Sub's passing would lead Zev down a dark road. He emerged from his grief as the legenda...