Wikipedia

Open Mike Eagle

Michael W. Eagle II[2](born November 14, 1980),[3]better known by his stage nameOpen Mike Eagle,is an American hip hop artist and comedian. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, he is now based in Los Angeles, California,[4]where he is a member of the hip hop collectiveProject Blowed.[5]He has also been a member ofThirsty Fish,[6]Swim Team,[6]and Cavanaugh.[7]

Open Mike Eagle
Open Mike Eagle performing in 2017
Open Mike Eagle performing in 2017
Background information
Birth nameMichael W. Eagle II
Also known asMike Eagle
Born(1980-11-14)November 14, 1980(age 44)
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
OccupationRapper
Years active2003–present
Labels
Websitemikeeagle.net

Early life

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Mike grew up in Chicago'sRobert Taylor Homesand lived with his grandparents until he was 13 at which point he moved in with his mother.[8]Mike also has a younger brother and sister.[citation needed]He attendedWhitney M. Young Magnet High Schooland went on toSouthern Illinois University Carbondalewhere he majored in psychology.[9]

He attended graduate school for one year, but quickly moved to Los Angeles to live with his dad. He began working forAmeriCorpsfor six months before getting a job at a non-profit halfway house.[8]As he continued to work odd jobs, Mike rapped as a hobby before discoveringProject Blowedand then creatingThirsty Fish.[8]

Career

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Music

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Open Mike Eagle, withDumbfoundeadandPsychosiz,formed the rap trioThirsty Fish.[10]They released the first albumTesting the Watersin 2007 and the second albumWatergateon Mush Records in 2011. All three members of Thirsty Fish are also co-founders of the battle crew Swim Team. In 2008, Swim Team released the mixtapeOcean's 11.[citation needed]

In 2010, Open Mike Eagle released his first solo album,Unapologetic Art Rap,onMush Records.[11]The album featuresNocando,Busdriver,andSerengeti.[12]His second album,Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes,was released onHellfyre Clubin 2011.[13]It features vocal contributions fromP.O.SandMC Paul Barman.[14][15]

In 2012, he released an album,4nml Hsptl,onFake Four Inc.[16]It is entirely produced by Awkward.[17]In that year, he co-authored and participated in a study conducted by theNational Institutes of Healththat observed the locations of increased brain activity during freestyle rapping.[18]

In 2014, he released an album,Dark Comedy.[19]In 2016, he releasedHella Personal Film Festival,a collaborative album withPaul White.[20]In 2017, he releasedBrick Body Kids Still Daydream,a concept album about theRobert Taylor Homes,a public housing project in Chicago, Illinois.[21]It was placed at number 34 onRolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2017" list,[22]as well as number 49 onPitchfork's "50 Best Albums of 2017" list.[23]In 2018, he released an EP,What Happens When I Try to Relax.[24]

Podcasts and comedy

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Eagle in 2015

In June 2015, Eagle along withJohn Moe,launched "Conversation Parade", a podcast in which the two discuss theCartoon Networkanimated television seriesAdventure Time.The podcast has featured guests likeJeremy Shada,John DiMaggio,Hynden Walch,Adam Muto,Kent Osborne,Niki Yang,Olivia Olson,Jesse Moynihan,Jessica DiCicco,Elizabeth Ito, andNeko Case.[25]More recently, Open Mike Eagle podcasts regularly on his podcastSecret Skin.[26]Mike Eagle also co-hosts the pro wrestling podcastTights and FightswithHal Lublinand Danielle Radford on theMaximum FunNetwork.[27]Mike Eagle also hosts the podcast "What Had Happened Was," during which he conducts in-depth interviews with hip-hop artists about their careers. During Season 1, Mike Eagle spoke with producerPrince Paul,and during Season 2 he interviewed rapper and producerEl-P.[28]Season 3 featured Mike interviewing producer and record executiveDante Ross.

Film and television

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Mike Eagle has expressed his appreciation forAdventure Time.[29]DuringAdventure Time'stenth season,he appeared in the episode "Son of Rap Bear", voicing a rapping gingerbread man.[30]On April 18, 2017,Comedy Centralannounced they were greenlightingThe New Negroes,a stand-up and musical series co-hosted by Open Mike Eagle andBaron Vaughn.[31]The New Negroespremiered on Comedy Central on April 9, 2019 and includes a new music video each episode in which Eagle collaborates with other hip-hop artists includingMF Doom,[32]Danny Brown,[33]Phonte,[34]andLizzo.[35]He also appeared in three episodes ofNetflix's 2020 showHistory of Swear Words.[36]He writes original songs for AppleTV+'sStrange Planet.

Personal life

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He met his ex-wife Tiffany at aTransAfricaconference atUCLA,and they have one son together.[8]Mike Eagle and his wife divorced in 2020.

Style and influences

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Open Mike Eagle has coined his own term for the style of some of his music, which he calls "art rap".[37]In a 2016 interview, he stated thatThey Might Be Giantsinfluenced him.[38][39]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Solo

Collaborations

Mixtapes

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EPs

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  • The Finger Booger EP(2003)
  • Another Roadside Attraction V2(2009)
  • Art Rap After Party(Mush Records, 2010)
  • Extended Nightmares Getdown: The Dark Blue Door(Hellfyre Club, 2011)
  • Rent Party Extension(Hellfyre Club, 2012)
  • Sir Rockabye(Hellfyre Club, 2013)
  • Invasion(2013)(withDumbfoundeadandPsychosiz,asThirsty Fish)
  • A Special Episode Of(Mello Music Group, 2015)
  • What Happens When I Try to Relax(Auto Reverse Records, 2018)
  • The New Negroes with Baron Vaughn & Open Mike Eagle: Season 1 Soundtrack(2019)
  • Quarantine Recordings(Auto Reverse Records, 2020)(withSerengeti,as Cavanaugh)

Singles

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  • "I Rock" (Mush Records, 2010)
  • "Home Movies" (self-released, 2012)(with Dumbfoundead and Psychosiz, as Thirsty Fish)

Guest appearances

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  • Abstract Rude– "Thynk Eye Can (Blowedian Next Generation Mix)" fromRejuvenation(2009)
  • Nocando– "DSD2" fromJimmy the Lock(2010)
  • Busdriver– "Deer God" fromComputer Cooties(2010)
  • Flash Bang Grenada– "In a Perfect World" from10 Haters(2011)
  • Mega Ran– "Now Hiring" fromMega Ran 10(2011)
  • Myka 9&Factor Chandelier– "5 Mikes" fromSovereign Soul(2012)
  • Zilla Rocca – "Full Spectrum 2" fromFull Spectrum(2012)
  • Busdriver– "Werner Herzog" fromArguments with Dreams(2012)
  • Cars & Trains– "Stay Awake" fromWe Are All Storms(2012)
  • Sole– "Definition of Slave" fromA Ruthless Criticism of Everything Existing(2012)
  • Premrock & Willie Green – "Jogger" fromPremrock & Willie Green(2012)
  • Ras G–Kampala Blackouts(2012)
  • Random– "Super Move" fromLanguage Arts Volume 2(2012)
  • Illogic&Blockhead– "From Scratch" fromPreparing for Capture 2(2012)
  • Curly Castro – "My Beloved" (2013)
  • Loden– "An Evening with Open Mike Eagle" fromThe Star-Eyed Condition(2013)
  • Milo– "The Otherground Pizza Party" fromThings That Happen at Night(2013)
  • Kool A.D.– "Red Wine" from63(2013)
  • Billy Woods– "Fool's Gold" fromDour Candy(2013)
  • Armand Hammer– "Fools Gold Remix" fromHalf Measures(2013)
  • Hot Sugar– "Watermelon" fromMade Man(2013)
  • L'Orange& Stik Figa – "Decorated Silence" fromThe City Under the City(2013)
  • Mishka& Rad Reef – "Hyperbolic Chamber Music II" (2013)
  • Gregory Pepper& Madadam – "Stirring Dead Leaves" fromBig Huge Truck(2013)
  • Factor – "Stone Cold" fromWoke Up Alone(2013)
  • Armand Hammer– "New Museum" fromRace Music(2013)
  • The MC Type – "Preacher Song" fromA Good Tattoo(2013)
  • MC Frontalot– "Much Chubbier" fromQuestion Bedtime(2014)
  • Megabusive w/ Awkward – "Apexes and Peaks" and "So Much" fromHell on Hell(2014)
  • Drummachinemike – "The Anti-Socialite's Theme Song", "Bowling Tips" and "The Kids Don't Like Me" fromDrum Machine Music(2014)
  • Ardamus – "If Only I Gave Ah", fromI Can't Replace Me, Pt. 1: Improve(2014)
  • Busdriver– "When the Tooth-lined Horizon Blinks" fromPerfect Hair(2014)
  • Milo– "Objectifying Rabbits" fromA Toothpaste Suburb(2014)
  • Eligh– "Get Like Me" from80 Hrtz(2015)
  • Abstract Rude – "Kan of Whoop Ass Reprise" fromKeep the Feel: A Legacy of Hip Hop Soul(2015)
  • L'Orange &Kool Keith– "Meanwhile, Back Home" fromTime? Astonishing!(2015)
  • Memory Man – "Funtastic" fromBroadcast One(2015)
  • Milo– "True Nen" fromSo the Flies Don't Come(2015)
  • Aesop Rock– "Syrup" fromThe Impossible Kiddeluxe edition (2016)
  • Blu& Fate – "Oblivia" fromOpen Your Optics to Optimism(2016)
  • Factor Chandelier – "Dozer II" fromFactoria(2016)
  • P.O.S– "Infinite Scroll" fromChill, Dummy(2017)
  • Uncommon Nasa – "Extra Lives" fromWritten at Night(2017)
  • Buy Muy Drugs – "American Robot" fromBuy Muy Drugs(2017)
  • Czarface&MF Doom– "Phantoms" fromCzarface Meets Metal Face(2018)
  • Left at London– "I Split My Ribs Open" fromTransgender Street Legend Vol. 1(2018)
  • MC Paul Barman– "Echo Chamber" and "Believe That" fromEcho Chamber(2018)
  • The Skull Eclipses – "Gone" fromThe Skull Eclipses(2018)
  • Blockhead– "Slippery Slope" fromFree Sweatpants(2019)
  • Two Door Cinema Club– "Nice to See You" fromFalse Alarm(2019)
  • Awol One– "I Can Do That" fromTony the Walrus(2020)
  • R.A.P. Ferreira– "Pinball" fromPurple Moonlight Pages(2020)
  • Rav - "Ass Backwards" (2021)
  • Blockhead– "Mastering How To Land" fromThe Aux(2023)
  • COOLETHAN – "Know Us" fromYou Can Never Go Back(2024)

Compilation appearances

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  • "Silent Protest (A Modest Proposal)" onPrometheus(2011)[40]
  • "Celebrity Reduction Prayer" and "Dark Comedy Late Show" onPersona(2015)[41]
  • "How to Be Super Petty to Your Ex" on30 Days, 50 Songs(2016)[42]

References

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  1. ^Caswell, Estelle (June 7, 2016)."How They Might Be Giants influenced art-rapper Open Mike Eagle".Vox.Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2018.RetrievedMay 8,2022.
  2. ^Kamegawa, Annalise (September 18, 2017)."Open Mike Eagle turns an American hero in 'Brick Body Kids Still Daydream'".The Daily Californian.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2018.RetrievedOctober 20,2018.
  3. ^Jeffries, David."Open Mike Eagle – Biography".AllMusic.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2018.RetrievedOctober 20,2018.
  4. ^"SXSW 2011: Politicking with Shabazz Palaces and Open Mike Eagle".Los Angeles Times.March 19, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 16,2012.
  5. ^"Open Mike Eagle Unapologetically Talks About" Art Rap "".LA Weekly.July 8, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon July 22, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 16,2012.
  6. ^abMonster (June 28, 2012)."A Conversation With Open Mike Eagle".Complex.RetrievedApril 4,2020.
  7. ^Aku, Timmhotep (November 4, 2015)."First Watch: Cavanaugh (Open Mike Eagle & Serengeti), 'Screen Play'".NPR.Archivedfrom the original on October 14, 2019.RetrievedApril 4,2020.
  8. ^abcd"BA #064:'Open' Mike Eagle".Box Angeles podcast.February 16, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on February 19, 2015.
  9. ^McCormick, Moira (April 18, 2019)."Open Mike Eagle, Baron Vaughn hybrid TV series showcases comics, singers".Chicago Sun-Times.RetrievedMay 18,2020.
  10. ^Bell, Max (June 9, 2014)."Fly Like an (Open Mike) Eagle: Soaring with Rap's Comedic Genius".Noisey.Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2018.RetrievedOctober 31,2018.
  11. ^Jones, Kevin (May 2010)."Open Mike Eagle – Unapologetic Art Rap".Exclaim!.
  12. ^"Open Mike Eagle".UGSMAG.May 10, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon February 21, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 16,2012.
  13. ^Weiss, Dan (August 30, 2011)."Open Mike Eagle – Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes".The Phoenix.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2012.
  14. ^"Open Mike Eagle –" Why Pianos Break ft. P.O.S. "".UGSMAG.June 7, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon February 8, 2012.
  15. ^Castano, Fred (June 19, 2011)."Open Mike Eagle – Rappers Will Die Of Natural Causes".Potholes in My Blog.Archivedfrom the original on May 22, 2013.
  16. ^"Premiere: Open Mike Eagle ft. Serengeti –" Universe Man "".Pigeons & Planes.May 14, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon May 16, 2012.
  17. ^Sullivan, Matt (July 2, 2012)."Open Mike Eagle, 4NML HSPTL".Impose.Archivedfrom the original on July 23, 2012.
  18. ^Liu, Siyuan; Chow, Ho Ming; Xu, Yisheng; Erkkinen, Michael G.; Swett, Katherine E.; Eagle, Michael W.; Rizik-Baer, Daniel A.; Braun, Allen R. (2012)."Neural Correlates of Lyrical Improvisation: An fMRI Study of Freestyle Rap".Scientific Reports.2:834.Bibcode:2012NatSR...2E.834L.doi:10.1038/srep00834.PMC3498928.PMID23155479.
  19. ^Weiss, Jeff (December 24, 2014)."Open Mike Eagle Is Indie Rap's Sharpest, Funniest Social Critic".LA Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2018.RetrievedOctober 30,2018.
  20. ^Matera, C. G. (February 4, 2016)."Open Mike Eagle and Paul White Team for Hella Personal Film Festival, Share" Check to Check "".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on December 25, 2018.RetrievedOctober 30,2018.
  21. ^"Open Mike Eagle's New Album 'Brick Body Kids Still Daydream' Due This Year – XXL".XXL.July 31, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on September 6, 2017.RetrievedAugust 26,2017.
  22. ^"50 Best Albums of 2017".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on December 13, 2017.RetrievedDecember 14,2017.
  23. ^"The 50 Best Albums of 2017 (page 1 of 5)".Pitchfork.December 12, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2018.RetrievedOctober 30,2018.
  24. ^Maicki, Salvatore (October 18, 2018)."Open Mike Eagle shares new EP What Happens When I Try To Relax".The Fader.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2018.RetrievedOctober 20,2018.
  25. ^Eagle, Mike; Moe, John (2015)."Conversation Parade: An Adventure Time Podcast".Infinite Guest Podcast Network.Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2015.RetrievedJune 27,2015.
  26. ^"Secret Skin ® | Podcast | APM Podcasts".APM Podcasts.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 3,2017.
  27. ^"Tights and Fights".Maximum Fun Network.August 5, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2017.RetrievedNovember 2,2017.
  28. ^"What Had Happened Was | Starburns Audio".Starburns Audio.RetrievedJune 12,2021.
  29. ^Staggs, Matt (June 13, 2014)."Rapper Open Mike Eagle Talks Adventure Time, Art Rap, and XTC".Suvudu.Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2015.RetrievedJune 27,2015.
  30. ^Lafyatis, Diana (supervising director); Sandra Lee (art director); Seo Kim & Somvilay Xayaphone (storyboard artists) (September 17, 2017). "Son of Rap Bear".Adventure Time.Season 10. Episode 3.Cartoon Network.
  31. ^"Comedy Central Picks Up 'Corporate', 'The New Negroes' & 'Taskmaster' To Series, Orders 9 Pilots".Deadline Hollywood.April 18, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on January 31, 2020.RetrievedApril 17,2020.
  32. ^"Open Mike Eagle & MF Doom – 'Police Myself' (Music Video)".YouTube.April 25, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on May 22, 2019.RetrievedMay 15,2019.
  33. ^"Open Mike Eagle & Danny Brown – 'Unfiltered' (Music Video)".YouTube.April 15, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on May 14, 2019.RetrievedMay 15,2019.
  34. ^"Open Mike Eagle & Phonte – 'Woke as Me' (Music Video)".YouTube.May 2, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on May 10, 2019.RetrievedMay 15,2019.
  35. ^"Open Mike Eagle & Lizzo – 'Extra Consent' (Music Video)".YouTube.May 9, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on June 17, 2019.RetrievedMay 15,2019.
  36. ^"IMDB History of Swear Words".IMDb.RetrievedJanuary 7,2021.
  37. ^Weiss, Jeff (July 8, 2010)."WTF Is Art-Rap?!".LA Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on February 15, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 16,2012.
  38. ^Caswell, Estelle (June 7, 2016)."How They Might Be Giants influenced art-rapper Open Mike Eagle".Vox.Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2018.RetrievedOctober 30,2018.
  39. ^Dart, Chris (June 23, 2016)."Put a little birdhouse in your rhymes: How They Might Be Giants influenced Open Mike Eagle".The A.V. Club.Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2018.RetrievedOctober 30,2018.
  40. ^"Pop & Hiss premiere: The Hellfyre Club's 'Prometheus' mixtape".Los Angeles Times.March 11, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on December 9, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 16,2012.
  41. ^Kaye, Ben (February 27, 2015)."Open Mike Eagle teams with Oddisee for" Celebrity Reduction Prayer "– listen".Consequence of Sound.Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 12,2015.
  42. ^"Open Mike Eagle – 30 Days, 30 Songs".30 Days 30 Songs.RetrievedJune 22,2020.
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