What Had Happened Was

Talkhouse Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • WEEKLY SERIES
What Had Happened Was

Season 4 of What Had Happened Was features host Open Mike Eagle in conversation with legendary drummer, band leader and Oscar winner Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson. Throughout the course of the season, Questlove shares the stories behind the first four albums of the Legendary Roots Crew. Along the way, we hear Questlove’s personal rise alongside legends like Black Thought, Dilla, D’angelo, Jill Scott and many more.

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  1. Questlove on the Origin of The Roots

    EPISODE 1

    Questlove on the Origin of The Roots

    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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
  2. Organix

    EPISODE 2

    Organix

    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

    47 min
  3. Organix part 2

    EPISODE 3

    Organix part 2

    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 instrumentation and sampling that will be a part of every Roots album to follow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  4. Do You Want More?!!!??!

    EPISODE 4

    Do You Want More?!!!??!

    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 conceived. And what does David Letterman have to do with it? hear it all here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  5. Do You Want More?!!!??! part 2

    EPISODE 5

    Do You Want More?!!!??! part 2

    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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min
  6. Do You Want More?!!!??! Part 3

    EPISODE 6

    Do You Want More?!!!??! Part 3

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

    53 min
  7. Illedelph Halflife

    EPISODE 7

    Illedelph Halflife

    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

    54 min
  8. Illadelph Halflife Part 2

    EPISODE 8

    Illadelph Halflife Part 2

    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 the other to excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min
See All Season 4 (14)

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Season 4 of What Had Happened Was features host Open Mike Eagle in conversation with legendary drummer, band leader and Oscar winner Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson. Throughout the course of the season, Questlove shares the stories behind the first four albums of the Legendary Roots Crew. Along the way, we hear Questlove’s personal rise alongside legends like Black Thought, Dilla, D’angelo, Jill Scott and many more.

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