Open Mike Eagle

Explicit content warning

10/21/20 • 59 min

Open Mike Eagle has never been shy about getting personal with his music. After emerging from LA's Project Blowed collective, the rapper/producer released his first solo album in 2010 and has been dropping projects at a steady clip ever since. With a comedic wit and quirky eclectic nature to his songs, Mike has also been equally proficient in the worlds of comedy and television. He co-created comedy and music showcase 'The New Negroes,' first as a live event and later as a show for Comedy Central, which we discuss in this episode. He's also no stranger to podcasts – from his own Secret Skin podcast, as well as 'What Had Happened Was,' his acclaimed interview series with the legendary producer Prince Paul, all on his own Stony Island Audio podcast network, which is also home to 'Can't Knock the Shuffle.' Here are the songs that we dive into in this episode:

"Sounds Like Rap" (Thirsty Fish, 'Watergate,' 2011)

"Art Rap Party" ('Unapologetic Art Rap', 2010)

"Single Ghosts" ('What Happens When I Try To Relax', 2018)

"Woke As Me" feat Phonte Coleman ('The New Negroes' Season 1 Soundtrack, 2019)

"Leave People Alone" ('Hella Personal Film Festival', 2016)

"Overland" (Cavanaugh, 'Time and Materials', 2015)

"Raps for When It's Just You and the Abyss" ('A Special Episode', 2015)

We also discuss the increasing difficulties for indie artists trying to navigate the music industry, the lessons Mike learned in creating a show (and accompanying music videos) for a cable network, and how his writing has evolved over the years.

Open Mike Eagle:

www.mikeeagle.net

instagram.com/seandammit

twitter.com/seandammit

instagram.com/thequestionshiphop

Email: [email protected]

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"Sounds Like Rap" (Thirsty Fish, 'Watergate,' 2011)

"Art Rap Party" ('Unapologetic Art Rap', 2010)

"Single Ghosts" ('What Happens When I Try To Relax', 2018)

"Woke As Me" feat Phonte Coleman ('The New Negroes' Season 1 Soundtrack, 2019)

"Leave People Alone" ('Hella Personal Film Festival', 2016)

"Overland" (Cavanaugh, 'Time and Materials', 2015)

"Raps for When It's Just You and the Abyss" ('A Special Episode', 2015)

Open Mike Eagle:

www.mikeeagle.net

instagram.com/seandammit

twitter.com/seandammit

instagram.com/thequestionshiphop

Email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

J-Live

J-Live is unparalleled as a writer in the craft of hip hop. He first got his start in the mid-90s with 'The Best Part,' a classic debut that was shelved and eventually bootlegged to the masses. Since then, he's also developed more as a DJ and producer over the course of a dozen independent projects that he's since released. A true student of the game, J-Live's attention to detail makes him the perfect candidate to dive into the stories behind songs in his catalog. In this episode, we explore:

"Ya Momma So Black" (How Much is Water?, 2015)

"Braggin' Writes (Revisited)" (12-inch single/'The Best Part', 1996/2001)

"The Upgrade" feat Oddisee + Posdnuos ('Then What Happened?', 2008)

"Like This Anna" ('All of the Above', 2002)

"Watch Sun Watch" feat. YC the Cynic ('S.P.T.A. Said Person of That Ability', 2011)

"Walk Like" ('Around the Sun', 2014)

"Anotha Hip Hop Song" ('At The Date Of This Writing', 2019)

Learn how J-Live's trademark part of his stage show was created somewhat by accident, the story behind the delay and shelving of his classic first album, what motivates him to self-produce vs. working with other producers on his albums, and the process by which he constructs so many of his intricately-conceived songs.

J-Live:

www.realjlive.com

instagram.com/seandammit

twitter.com/seandammit

instagram.com/thequestionshiphop

Email me: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next Episode

RJD2

For nearly two decades, producer/musician RJD2 has put his own unique spin on the genre of instrumental hip hop. RJ's music has always been a compelling listen, with or without vocals – but he's also collaborated with a gang of artists, including rapper Blueprint (under the Soul Position moniker), as well as projects with singer Aaron Livingston (pka Son Little) and underground legend Aceyalone. Along the way, RJ has produced songs for commercials and TV shows – in fact, an instrumental of one of his songs was used as the theme to AMC's smash hit show 'Mad Men.' RJ's most recent project is 'The Fun Ones,' released on his own record label RJ's Electrical Connections. Songs we explore in this episode:

"Indoor S'mores" ('The Fun Ones', 2020)

"A Beautiful Mine" ('Magnificent City', 2006)

"Wander" (Icebird 'The Abandoned Lullaby', 2011)

"Someday" ('The Third Hand', 2007)

"The Stranger" ('The Colossus', 2010)

"Ring Finger" ('Since We Last Spoke', 2004)

"Saboteur" feat Phonte Coleman ('Dame Fortune', 2016)

RJD2:

www.rjd2.net

instagram.com/seandammit

twitter.com/seandammit

instagram.com/thequestionshiphop