What Had Happened Was "Finale: RTJ4 & More" (Podcast)

On the final episode of this season of What Had Happened Was, Open Mike Eagle links with El-P for one last conversation! Together they cover Run The Jewels 4, High Water, Little Johnny From The Hospitul, and more! Hear El-P discuss things like: Is there another solo project in the cards? How does El-P feel about the battles he's waged in his career? Another phenomenal season with a producer everyone should get more familiar with in, and outside, of music. Props to Open Mike Eagle for the direction of the podcast and 2 seasons of great conversations with legends. Listen below...

What Had Happened Was "Run The Jewels Part 3" (Podcast)

In 2016, El-P and Killer Mike released their third LP as Run the Jewels. With their impact worldwide and fan base now fully galvanized and the problems of the world beginning to escalate, the duo responds by impressively pouring more of their humanity into the music. And with this vulnerability comes a heightened sense of risk. Hear these stories and lots more on this latest episode of Open Mike Eagle's What Had Happened Was podcast. Dig into the archives for lots more of the podcast!

What Had Happened Was "Run The Jewels Part 2" (Podcast)

In 2014 El-P and Killer Mike released their second full length as Run The Jewels. While they knew that the energy and sound of RTJ was undeniable, it was the second release that truly catapulted the duo to worldwide popularity. But, as they say... along with the success came brand new challenges. Learn about all that and lots more in the latest episode of Open Mike Eagle's What Had Happened Was podcast. Dig into the archives for Season 2 episodes and Season 1 with Prince Paul...

What Had Happened Was "Run The Jewels Part 1" (Podcast)

Off the heels of producing Killer Mike's breakthrough album R.A.P. Music in 2012, El-P and Killer Mike decided to join forces for an entire project that was intended to be a one-off. This is the story of their reinvention/evolution in forming the duo that would change both of their careers: Run the Jewels! Are you not entertained? Tune into this latest episode of Open Mike Eagle's What Had Happened Was podcast below and absolutely hit the archives for all of the past episodes too...

What Had Happened Was "Cancer 4 Cure" (Podcast)

In 2012 -- after the dissolution of his record label Def Jux and the death of his friend and collaborator Camu Tao (Rest In Peace) -- El-P released his third solo album, Cancer 4 Cure. The album chronicles El-P at one of his lowest points, and though he made the album thinking it might be his last project, it changed the course of his entire career. Listen to stories about that project and lots more on this latest episode of Open Mike Eagle's What Had Happened Was podcast...

What Had Happened Was "R.A.P. Music" (Podcast)

In this episode of What Had Happened Was, El-P tells the story of the LP that serves as the origin of Run The Jewels. In 2012, Williams Street Records (part of Adult Swim) paired El with Killer Mike to produce an album. The bombastic LP combined the sounds of both artists and changed the course of both of their careers in its wake. The pairing of El-P and Killer Mike has been genre-bending and extremely successful, learn more about its origin and hit the archives for more below...

What Had Happened Was "I'll Sleep When You're Dead" (Podcast)

In 2007, El-P released his second solo album I'll Sleep When You're Dead. In this episode El tells the story of creating this project, which he calls his favorite of his solo works. He details his excitement at collaborating with Trent Reznor and explains the stories behind tracks like "Habeas Corpses," "The Overly Dramatic Truth" and "Tasmanian Pain Coaster." Hit the archives for past episodes of What Had Happened Was, and listen below to more great stories from El-P. Props again to Open Mike Eagle...

What Had Happened Was "Def Jux Legacy" (Podcast)

Having covered El's production masterpiece in Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein and his breakthrough solo LP Fantastic Damage, the podcast digs deeper to profile the artists and albums that are the tentpoles of El-P's artist-owned record label Def Jux. He tells the story of meeting and working with underground legends like Mr. Lif, Aesop Rock, RJD2 and more. El-P also explores the void left by the passing of friend and brilliant artist Camu Tao (Rest In Peace). Listen to the episode below...

What Had Happened Was "Fantastic Damage Episode" (Podcast)

In 2002, El-P released his solo debut LP Fantastic Damage to critical acclaim and unbridled fervor from underground rap fans that had been following El from Company Flow to the creation of Def Jux. In this episode El tells the stories behind celebrated songs like "Stepfather Factory," "Deep Space 9mm" and "Squeegee Man Shooting." He also sets the record straight on the album's connection to the events of September 11th, 2001. Don't miss another great episode, listen below...

What Had Happened Was "Cold Vein & the Rise of Def Jux" (Podcast)

In this episode, El-P walks us through the launch of the legendary record label Def Jux. In its initial days of the label, Company Flow disbands as El assembles the roster from standout artists in the underground rap scene like Mr. Lif, RJD2 and Aesop Rock. One of Def Jux's first major releases is Cannibal Ox's classic debut The Cold Vein. El walks us through meeting the duo, putting the album together and unleashing it on the world! Yet another phenomenal episode, listen to the pod below...

What Had Happened Was "Company Flow Part 2" (Podcast)

On this episode of What Had Happened Was (Season 2), El-P breaks down Company Flow's classic underground album, the Funcrusher Plus LP. He discusses the origins of his unique approach to production and the changes between the EP version and the final commercial release; the alchemy of "The Fire in Which You Burn," and the disagreements that eventually led to the dissolution of the group. Yup, follow these great stories and settle in for another dope episode of the podcast below...

What Had Happened Was "Company Flow Part 1" (Podcast)

What Had Happened Was has finally returned for a second season! To kick it off, Open Mike Eagle sits down with this season's guest, El-P, to dig into El's early life leading up to his first recordings and the forming of the seminal underground rap group, Company Flow. Along the way we hear the story of his first encounter with the music business and how that informed the ’independent as f*ck’ aesthetic of his early releases. El-P and Open Mike Eagle then explore the record label bidding war that lands the group at legendary underground label Rawkus Records. This was easily my favorite podcast last season, so I'm equally exited to dive into Season 2. Listen along with me below...

What Had Happened Was "What Didn't Happen Episode" (Podcast)

According to Open Mike Eagle, it’s ‘What Didn't Happen’ Day on the season finale of What Had Happened Was. This sadly marks the last episode of Mike's dope conversation series with the legendary Prince Paul. So... on this episode, Open Mike Eagle and Prince Paul spoke about collaborations that were supposed to happen; big projects that fell through, and looking ahead to some of the things that are to come in the future. As I've said, this has consistently been one of my favorite new podcasts, so tune in and enjoy! You'll hear what's next, support these brothers.

What Had Happened Was "Buhloone Mindstate Episode" (Podcast)

On the latest episode of the What Had Happened Was Podcast, Prince Paul discusses with Open Mike Eagle the creation of De La Soul's classic album Buhloone Mindstate in 1993. Prince Paul also talks about how parting ways with the group after that changed the course of both his and their careers. Another phenomenal conversation and clearly one of the best podcasts on the infinite shelf space of the internet. Y'all know "Breakadawn" is still one of my favorite De La Soul songs ever, no question about it. Dig into the latest episode below, it's almost over! Hit the tags for more.

What Had Happened Was "Native Tongues Episode" (Podcast)

On the latest episode of the What Had Happened Was Podcast, Prince Paul tells Open Mike Eagle the story of the quick rise - and confusing fall - of the greatest rap collective of all time, the Native Tongues! Are you not entertained?!?! lol. I haven't listened to this one YET, but the title alone got me intrigued - especially after Prince Paul's humorous reaction to not being on the cover of A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders in the Beats, Rhymes & Life documentary in 2011, lol. I trust it's another entertaining episode, so tune into it with me below. Hit the tags for all episodes.

What Had Happened Was "Politics of the Business Episode"

In 2003, after the mishandling of A Prince Among Thieves, Prince Paul found himself in a dark space and made an album reflective of his negative feelings about the music industry. Devoid of his signature skits and melodic samples, Politics of the Business is Prince Paul at his most cynical. He tells the story of putting the album together, its critical/fan reception and how he feels about it now. Politics of the Business features Dave Chappelle, Ice-T, Chuck D, Jean Grae, MF Doom and more! Another great episode from Prince Paul and Open Mike Eagle! Hit the tags for more episodes of the What Had Happened Was Podcast, and a lot more related content. Did you like Politics?

What Had Happened Was "Handsome Boy Modeling School Episode"

On the latest episode of Prince Paul and Open Mike Eagle's What Had Happened Was, Paul tells the stories of forming Handsome Boy Modeling School with Dan the Automator. If you're not up on the music that Prince Paul and Dan The Automator created together, you've already missed so much, but it's not too late! Listen to the music, then come back and enjoy this phenomenal (and entertaining) episode of their podcast. Dig into the archives for past episodes and lots more...

What Had Happened Was "Stetsasonic Episode" (Podcast)

Paul began his journey in rap in 1977 as a DJ right when hip-hop was starting in New York. Shortly after that it turns into a career when he meets the rappers that would become the legendary group Stetsasonic. In this episode of What Had Happened Was, Prince Paul tells Open Mike Eagle the story of going from ‘sucker duck’ kid DJ to touring the world with Stetsasonic and the lessons that led him to strike out on his own with De La Soul. Hit the tags below for all the past episodes.

What Had Happened Was "De La Soul Is Dead Episode"

In 1991, after the smash success of their debut album 3ft High and Rising, De La Soul and Prince Paul become household names and with that comes strangers harassing them with unwanted demo tapes, weird encounters at Burger King, and rumors being spread about the group. All of these problems are front and center on their second album, the brilliant De La Soul is Dead. Hear Prince Paul discuss it with Open Mike Eagle below, and hit the tags for all past episodes. Dig into it below...

What Had Happened Was "3rd Bass & MF Doom Episode" (Podcast)

In this 'loosies' episode of the What Had Happened Was podcast,  Prince Paul tells the story of working with three legendary hip-hop acts - 3rd Bass, MF Doom and MC Paul Barman - and gives us a look inside each of their creative processes. Along the way, Prince Paul and Open Mike Eagle discuss 3rd Bass’s beef with MC Hammer, a potential full length collab with DOOM and the story of what the beats from Paul Barman’s ‘It’s Very Stimulating’ were originally intended for. Enjoy below...