Eyedea — innovator

Michael Larsen, aka Eyedea, hip-hop pioneer who helped establish the Midwest underground scene, died on Saturday, Oct. 16. He was 28.

Mostly known for his freestyle battle skills, he also leaves a legacy of recordings with many notable names in underground hip-hop, as well as a series of albums made with prominent DJ Abilities. I never knew Eyedea; I never interviewed him. But before I became an entertainment journalist, I knew of his work, his fearsome battle skills and his machine gun delivery. His blazing-fast articulation coupled with his razor-sharp wit helped open my eyes to the possibilities hip-hop offered as an art form. I remember downloading bootlegs of his battle versus Shells at some rap battle, and I couldn't believe someone could actually be making that stuff up in front of a crowd. Watch the video — he tears his opponent to pieces. I've never heard such a total, confident dismantling of a battle opponent. After the second of two rounds, in which both MCs spit a cappella for a minute, he ends with a self-assured declaration that nobody in the audience could possibly have doubted:

"Yo I grab the mic and straight disconnect your face / yo, it's your turn, but you got second place."

 His recorded work never got the critical praise that it deserved, but he had some great songs. I remember hearing the first track of E&A, called "Reintroduction." Abilities scratches the vocal track in time with the beat — I had never heard anything like that before, and I haven't since. 

Eyedea opened my eyes to the creative, improvisational side of hip-hop that I hadn't known existed. He will be greatly missed.

Here's how some of his contemporaries have responded to his passing:

"Mike was the closest friend I ever had. He was as caring as he was brilliant and was a true prodigy. I am honored to have been in his life and to have created with him and help spread his messages. He was a great human being and he will be missed," DJ Abilities says.

"My friend, my brother. I do now know who I would be without your influence in my life. You challenged me without tearing me down. You pushed and encouraged me to be a better person. You had my back even when I didn't have my own back. Your words, thoughts, and ideas impacted me in ways that I probably haven't fully realized yet. You made me laugh and cry. You made me look and question. Thank you for everything. I love you Mikey," says Sean Daley, aka Slug of Atmosphere.

"Eyedea was a precious soul. We're better artists for working with him and better people for knowing him. He added so generously to our lives, and his passing leaves an empty space in out hearts. His spirit will forever be entwined in our life-changing moments. Thank you, Mikey, for sharing your light with us. We love you so very much and your music, insight and laughter will never leave us," says Brother Ali.

"Eyedea was the purest artist I have ever met. An all-around amazing human being. Great rapper. And a better friend," says Murs of Living Legends.

"Mike was an artist in constant transition. If you blinked and missed a moment of brilliance, he'd be sure to fill you in on what you missed. Now that he can't be here to do that we will gladly do it for him. With the heaviest of hearts," says Sage Francis.