This mini-episode of The Questlove Show features Ahmir, Open Mike Eagle, and producer Cousin Jake reflecting on Mike’s 2025 long-form QLS conversation. Open Mike Eagle shares that he’s just finished a new album, talks about his listening habits (ranging from British bands to YouTube talk shows) and how being embedded in the industry pushes him away from rap in his leisure time. They dig into live performance philosophy—testing unreleased songs on tour, reading crowd energy without begging for participation, and the Roots’ continuous, no-song-ending show structure. The convo closes with Mike’s existing and upcoming podcasts (“What Had Happened Was,” “Past Due,” and a new, working-titled “The Album That Changed My Life”).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.