Open Mike Eagle - “Single Ghosts”
SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 10; Popularity Index: 7
Pairs Well With…Serengeti, Yoni Wolf, Aesop Rock
Constantly inventive and intriguingly charming rapper Open Mike Eagle had a stacked 2019 highlighted by season one of The New Negroes, a Comedy Central music/comedy show with Baron Vaughn as well as its nine-track soundtrack collaborating with classic and contemporary rap peers. It’s a good fit for an artist that’s used comedy in his lyrics even when dealing with heavy topics, a personal, storytelling balance that always makes Open Mike Eagle stand out through his hazy, psychedelic beats. Open Mike Eagle’s last proper solo effort was 2018’s internally intense What Happen When I Try To Relax, a record featuring some of his most interesting, moving beats and lyrics that feel drawn right from the LA-based artist’s vulnerable heart. (Kevin McStravick)
2016 Review: L.A. Based rapper Open Mike Eagle is a little older than most newer rappers you need to hear but the maturity and life experience informs and enrichens his very personal brand of hip hop. Mike is a driven artist, having released a number of solo, and collaborative, EPs and full-length projects in rapid fire succession over the last few years, and he seems to get better with each release. He’s about to release a collaborative album with Paul White, a British producer that has had an equally impressive and solid output over his last few projects. Mike’s most recent releases, 2014’s Dark Comedy, 2015’s A Special Episode EP, and 2015’s collaborative album Time & Materials, with Serengeti as Cavanaugh, were released via indie hip hop powerhouse label Mello Music Group. The albums have solidified Mike’s personal style that eschews rap tropes for stories about his family life, the financial struggles of indie artists and other working people, and social commentary.
2013 Review: I’m late to the party but, Open Mike Eagle is a new artist to me and is easily the most impressive discovery of the project this year. It’s no surprise he’s aligned with Ceschi and David Ramos’ Fake Four Inc. label. The label has been dropping gem after hip hop and indie rock gem since its founding in 2008 and Mike’s newest, 4nml Hsptl which is entirely and expertly produced by Awkward, furthers the streak. I got stuck listening to Mike’s back catalogue of solo and group “Art Rap” albums and every release is filled with hilarious and biting quotables that push rap nerd’s heads to the brink of explosion. While his tracks are peppered with laugh out loud imagery Mike’s appeal is found in how he balances these entertaining bars with introspective points and serious social commentary.