Season Finale: Dante's Legacy and the new reality of the A&R

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

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

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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 jokes are rolling - take a seat at the table with N.O.R.E & EFN. You Gotta Relax! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/adchoices

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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 revolutionized rap music. Then we hear how their critical success and underwhelming sales ultimately led to the dissolution of the group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 legendary MF DOOM. Dante worked closely with the group and was a friend of DOOM throughout his life and he tells the entire story in this emotional episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices