54 episodes

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.

What Had Happened Was Talkhouse Podcast Network

    • Music
    • 4.9 • 119 Ratings

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.

    Questlove on the Origin of The Roots

    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.
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    • 50 min
    Organix

    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
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    • 47 min
    Organix part 2

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

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

    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'.
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    • 47 min
    Do You Want More?!!!??! Part 3

    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
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    • 53 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
119 Ratings

119 Ratings

MisterMattNorman ,

One of top 5 podcasts of any kind

This is just an outstanding podcast. If you like interviews it doesn’t get any better than this but if you grew up in the 80s or 90s listening to hip hop then this is just paradise. Open Mike Eagle is everything you want in a host: he has a palpable enthusiasm for his subjects; he asks interesting questions; he’s authentic; and he listens! The four guests so far have all been addictive listening, making these season-long interviews feel too short. Please don’t stop!

Robangus ,

Most excellent

In depth, funny, sensitive. 3 Stella series deep and I can’t wait for more. I’m going back over the old episodes. Thanks !

TomPpta ,

A real treat

Just brilliant, Mike is a great interviewer - he makes each episode seem like a conversation rather than an interview and you feel privileged to hang out with them all. As a huge fan of the musicians covered it is great to get a lot of backstory to the various projects.

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