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Artwork for What Had Happened Was

What Had Happened Was

Stony Island Audio & Talkhouse
The Roots
D'angelo
Illadelph Halflife
Soulquarians
Questlove
Things Fall Apart
Black Thought
Hip-Hop
J Dilla
Music Industry
Roots Crew
Distrokid
Organix
Philadelphia
Erykah Badu
Jill Scott
Do You Want More
Hip-Hop Culture
You Got Me
Oscars

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 ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes55Founded5 years ago
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Music InterviewsMusic

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Artwork for What Had Happened Was

Latest Episodes

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 ne... more

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 ... more

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... more

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 ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson
Legendary drummer, band leader and Oscar winner
The Roots
Episode: Organix

Host

Open Mike Eagle
Host of What Had Happened Was

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • season four is amazing

    longtime roots fans have to listen to this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    neilien3030
    United Statesa month ago
  • We Need More Episodes!

    Come on Mike where are you?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OG Bloke
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Absolutely incredible!

    I can’t say enough good things about this podcast series Season 4 about the Roots. As a huge fan, it’s amazing to hear these stories from questlove and hearing all the musical interludes throughout the conversation. Open Mike Eagle did an amazing job.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SleazyV
    United States8 months ago
  • Great, i love it

    The show is great, i love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sindbjerg222
    Denmark8 months ago
  • Season 4

    I have to admit I fangirl moderately over questlove and the roots so I don’t even remember how I found out about this podcast besides maybe I heard about it on Ahmir’s podcast Questlove Supreme.

    Regardless, even if I came from a somewhat or very different background, I still came up during the era of the beginning of MTV and YO! MTV Raps, so I’m drawn to those nostalgic things that talk about my era too, as is mentioned during season 4, which is all a continuing conversation with Questlove abou... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IdahoSteph
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging and insightful interviews with a mix of humor and serious reflection.
The first-hand accounts of legendary artists like Questlove resonate well with long-time hip-hop fans, making this a must-listen for enthusiasts.
Many find Open Mike Eagle's interviewing style refreshing, allowing guests to express their creativity freely.
The podcast is praised for its in-depth exploration of hip-hop culture and the stories behind significant albums and events.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Organix Part 2
Q: How soon after this does your dad find out that this is what you are doing?
The guest talks about how his family first noticed the change when he started buying multiple pairs of sneakers and had a record deal.
Organix Part 2
Q: So when's the last time you listened to that album?
The guest often listens to the Roots' discography whenever they are about to record, to ensure they do not repeat styles.
What Had Happened Once: Dr. Todd Boyd on 'Rapper's Deluxe'
Q: Do you think that the rap form of just the real estate of words per minute there is going to be the most enduring global influence?
The subtitle of my book is How Hip-Hop Made the World. It's not local, it's not just local, and it's not just national, it's global.
What Had Happened Once: Dr. Todd Boyd on 'Rapper's Deluxe'
Q: What do you think, where's the place for women in hip-hop? And how do you see the next 50 years?
There's a visibility around women in hip-hop that maybe hadn't existed in the same way certainly in a long time... I feel like the 50 year foundation we have now is something hip hop can build on.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About What Had Happened Was

What is What Had Happened Was about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A captivating exploration of the evolution of hip-hop, particularly through the lens of the Legendary Roots Crew's albums, the discussions focus on relationships, creativity, and industry dynamics that have shaped the genre over the past decades. With engaging storytelling and anecdotes, the content features prominent figures from hip-hop, such as Questlove, Dilla, and D'Angelo, often emphasizing the cultural and historical context of their work. Unique to this podcast is its intimate, conversational style that fosters deep dives into both the music and the personal stories behind its creation, making it a treasure trove for hip-hop enthusiasts and those interested in the art of storytelling in music.

Where can I find podcast stats for What Had Happened Was?

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How many listeners does What Had Happened Was get?

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What are the audience demographics for What Had Happened Was?

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How many subscribers and views does What Had Happened Was have?

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Which podcasts are similar to What Had Happened Was?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What Had Happened Was:

1. Questlove Supreme
2. Juan Ep Is Life
3. One Song
4. A Hot Dog Is a Sandwich
5. The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds

How many episodes of What Had Happened Was are there?

What Had Happened Was launched 5 years ago and published 55 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact What Had Happened Was?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for What Had Happened Was?

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What guests have appeared on What Had Happened Was?

Recent guests on What Had Happened Was include:

1. Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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