What Had Happened Was

Near the end of his run at Elektra Records, Dante Ross signed Ol Dirty Bastard after hearing him feature on Wu-Tang's first single 'Proteck Ya Neck'. Dante worked closely with ODB aka Ason Unique aka Big Baby Jesus on his debut album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version and in the process became familiar with all of the aspects of this talented, charismatic and at times troubled superstar. 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

Dante Ross's next big signing at Elektra Records was the Long Island based Leaders of the New School including Charlie Brown, Dinco D, Milo and a young Busta Rhymes. Overseen by Dante the group releases two albums (A Future Without a Past and T.I.M.E.) but their journey was plagued by in-fighting almost from the very beginning. In this episode we cover the creation of the group and their classic albums and then their evenutal break-up which sets the stage for the solo career of Busta Rhymes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming off the slow burn success of their debut album, divisions begin to form in Brand Nubian and Grand Puba decides to go solo. Puba goes on to make his debut solo album Reel to Reel and Brand Nubian build their second LP In God We Trust with Sadat X and Lord Jamar holding the flag. All of New York was watching to see which side would come out on top and Dante Ross was the A & R for both albums. In this episode he tells the story of the break-up, the albums and the legacy of all involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After leaving Tommy Boy, Dante Ross began working at Elektra Records and ushered in an amazing roster of legendary rap artists. This epic run would begin with Grand Puba, Sadat X and Lord Jamar, collectively known as Brand Nubian. In this episode Dante talks about transitioning into working with a major label and working with Brand Nubian to create their debut album One For All Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode our guest Dante Ross tells the story of signing and developing a young black female rapper from New Jersey that would introduce herself to the world as the legendary Queen Latifah. From hearing her initial demos to developing her debut album All Hail the Queen to booking her first shows all around the country, Dante takes us back to the late 80s where he witnessed the birth of a bona fide star. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dante's first job after leaving Rush Productions was becoming A&R for the famed Tommy Boy Records in 1987. The first project he was assigned was the debut album from soon to be legendary rap group De La Soul. In this episode Dante tells the story of how De La put the album together, the reason the infamous lawsuit happened and the origin of the nickname Dante the Scrub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the premiere episode of Season 3, Open Mike Eagle sits down with Dante Ross as they begin to unpack his journey in hip-hop at the very beginning of the culture's expansion into the mainstream in 1980s New York City. Dante goes from being a witness to the explosion to working alongside some of the genre's essential artists including his friends from the punk scene, the Beastie Boys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices