On Saturday, October 16, 2010, hip hop the world lost a true talent. After the jump a few close friends and family speak on the tragic loss.
Dear Son, Always remember that where ever you go and what ever you do my love will always be with you. I knew before you were born that you were going to affect the world. I didn’t know how or with what gift, but now I do. You have given me the most joy, trouble, happiness, and pain. Now it’s time for the rest of us to step up and be the humans you know we can be. All my love, Mom
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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. – Gregory Keltgen (Dj Abilities)
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I met Mikey when he was 14 and he was so full of energy, but so focused for his age. I have always been amazed at his knowledge and thirst for life being so young. On more than one occasion, I have had to remind myself how young he really was while we were all coming up. He was such a special individual, he mastered everything he touched and wanted to touch everything. He was the most free person I have ever known and he approached life like a scientist, wanting to dissect all of her meanings so he could share them with others. Mikey had an amazing spirit and a truly gifted mind and all of us who were blessed to experience this immediately became better people. This life couldn’t contain my friend and so he’s moved on to his next journey, but I know he’ll forever be in our hearts and minds pushing us to live life to the fullest, be better and be free. – Brent Sayers (aka Siddiq aka Stress)
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My friend, my brother. I do not 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. – Sean Daley (Slug)
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I traveled many places for the first time with Mikey, and always remember how he would wake up in the van and say, “Man, this looks just like St. Paul.” All those first tours, Mikey was under 21, and the only way I knew it was the “X’s” on his hands each night. He was always older than his age to me. When I moved to Minneapolis to work with Rhymesayers 10 years ago, Mikey had a huge impact on my decision to make that leap of faith. He gave me the courage and a purpose. There were many days away from home that we spent together, and those times have helped define who I am today. He always inspired me, challenged me and made me laugh. Anytime, I’m on the road and drive into Columbus, St. Louis or Pittsburgh, I’m going to think, man, this looks just like St. Paul. I will always remember, always love and always miss Mikey. – J-Bird
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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 our 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. – Brother Ali
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Mikey was the 15 year old kid sleeping on my couch at Scribble Jam, slaying mc’s 10 yrs older than him. There was nothing anyone could do. I’ve never met a more supportive mother in my life than Kathy. Kathy is the shit. – Mr. Dibbs
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Eyedea was the purest artist I have ever met. An all around amazing human being. Great rapper. And a better friend. – Murs
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I will always remember laughing constantly whenever he was around. He had a great energy about him that didn’t allow you to take yourself too seriously, ever. If you were spazzing out about something really minor or trivial, he was the kinda dude that wouldn’t really react to it the same way. He might just start laughing or crack a joke to break the tension and make everybody else laugh. Then you would see that you were over-reacting and calm down–without him ever really telling you to calm down. I always admired that quality about him. He never got caught up in the stream, no matter how powerful it was. He always did his own thing. – Blueprint
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Mikey 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. – Sage Francis
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Mikey was a challenge. To everyone. And to himself. His challenges seemed to bring him great joy and give his life meaning. If challenge is what life is all about, he lived several full lifetimes in the short while he was here. Mikey certainly challenged me and I’m eternally grateful to him for that. He was one of my favorite people in the world and I’ll miss him very much. – Rich Terfry (Buck 65)
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Eyedea was a brilliant visionary who wore his soul outside of his body and kept his heart on his sleeves at all times. He was on a constant evolutionary quest for truth, justice, love, peace, and the overall existence of life and our roles in it. In the spirit of John Coltrane or Malcolm X he wasn’t afraid to change trajectories mid flight despite what anyone said embracing contradictions and tension like a lost but found soul mate. To him the process and the product was the same, he was creative expression personified. I didn’t always understand him or his vision but I always felt him. He has returned to the essence in a more powerful form helping us think outside of the boxes we place or are placed in front of us. He taught us what freedom really meant and what it looked like in action and for that I am forever grateful. – Chaka M’Kali (I Self Devine)
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Mikey, thank you for all the help, honesty and insane laughter. I will read every book you told me to. Thank you for the constant inspiration, whether to be the best, or destroy best as a concept. You never stopped progressing. You lived as art. You were a good friend, I miss you. – Stef Alexander (P.O.S)
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Mikey always struck me as a person that said exactly what he felt like saying in a well thought out way. Be it in the battle scene, on his albums, or in regular conversation. He’s one of the few people I saw start a conversation with a stranger on a plane and talk to them comfortably for hours. He will be extremely missed. – Toki Wright
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Eyedea was definitely thee MC from the Midwest (other than Juice) who earned our (the West Coast’s) respect for the Midwest indie rap scene thru battling in the underground circuit and shining on countless freestyle sessions heard live on stage, on nationwide radio and in street circles…I witnessed it, having had the pleasure to compete against him in Scribble Jam, watch him slay the HBO Blaze battle, then tour the USA with him on the same bus having freestyle sessions every night with some of the best MCs – his rise was true…his impact on Midwest indie rap was and still is enormous…we all saw him evolve musically from just a dope battle MC to a full fledged heart pouring artist with Abilities at his side; as an artist, i’ll always remember him as having a true passion for exploring the bounds of his creativity; but most of all, as just Mikey – he was a great friend to have, to talk to and chill with, and he always ALWAYS showed mad love, respect & acknowledgment for the Goodlife / Project Blowed family so it’s nothing but eternal love for our friend and brother from another mother…rest well my friend…rest well. – Abstract Rude
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Anyone who carries leadership qualities always has my utmost respect. I truly feel he was a leader. So many others were so much closer to him to already know this firsthand, but if I could sense it from a distance, it must’ve been so potent to those up-front. In the few days after his passing I can tell what a dent he has left in people’s hearts by the amazing words written to describe his genius ways on & off the mic. I salute you Eyedea. – Evidence
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I first met Eyedea in 1997 when he came through a radio show I was working at. He was just 15 or 16 then, but already seemed more passionate and creatively curious than most. In the years to come, it was my privilege to call him a friend. Mikey had a great sense of humor, an unshakable confidence in his art, and a mind that was always looking to push forward. He worked unbelievably hard, constantly trying to find new ways of expressing himself in the most honest and spontaneous way possible. I’m so proud to have known him, and I’m heartbroken to have to say goodbye so soon. – BK-One
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You never expect to hear that a friend has passed. Not someone so young, so talented, an artist at heart. I can still hear the enthusiasm in his voice, the passion for what he was doing. He is a true inspiration to anyone struggling to find their own voice, and then speak. – Skye Rossi
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To be idle is a short road to death, and Mikey was never idle, so it is with great distress to me that my friend is gone. To think of him as a new ancestor, an old friend and a brilliant artist is appropriate, and that is what I’ll do. – Psalm One
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He was fearless, groundbreaking, hilarious, and a warm…true friend who I had a GREAT respect for. 1 of the people who paved the way so others could do what they do. All love from me to him & K. Can’t say RIP cuz to me he’s still here, just in a higher form. – Onry Ozzborn
The public wake will occur on October 28th, and a “Celebration of the Life of Michael “Eyedea” Larsen event on November 9th. More information on both can be found at Rhymesayers’ official site.
RIP
sterling said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:45 pm
RIP
bennetton said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Respect. I wish I saw more of this after Guru passed. Damn.
d-bo said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:47 pm
rip
kidnova7 said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Just another pill popper who didn’t wake up. Anyone who feels sorry for drug addicts that die are just as ignorant as the drug addict. If someone chooses to do something that can kill them, it’s their own fault if they die. He had a choice and he chose to do it. By the way the same friends that are crying over this are the same friends that were doing the drugs with him. If they cared about him so much maybe they should have gotten their friend help instead of waiting for him to die to care.
1dopepuertoricanfromjersey said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Not trying to be fucked up but who?
solking10 said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:51 pm
@solking, just show your respect and google him, thats unnecessary, RIP.
Dre- needs a new name!! said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
they really should disable comments for this sort of thing
johnny bee snikka said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
rip
k said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
RIP. Does anyone know how he died?
woozy said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Forreal^
RIP. Fuck you 1dopepuertoricanfromjersey. Forreal. He’s DEAD. If you want to be negative then do it somewhere else.
Agent Gibbs said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Copywrite didnt want to add anything?
Rympul said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
RIP EYEDEA
Fuckin’ shame when trolls really have nothing better to do than show disrespect. Like you REALLY have nothing better to do. thats extremely homo.
For real, if you have the ability to type a stupid question/comment, then you can type the dudes name in google and find out!
smackadumbpuertoricanfromjersey said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
blaze battle and scribble jam were always memorable when eyedea was lyrically dismantaling fools! R.I.P.
Huge inspiration
etrain said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:06 pm
he didnt choose to be an addict, addiction is a disease like aids and cancer. r.ip.
Ben said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:08 pm
1doucheypuertorican, why do you keep posting on this guy’s RIP posts?
FelatioCain said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:14 pm
RIP ,please dont feed the trolls, leave them be and they disappear…
Dopeboyz said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Shake!! Shouldn’t there be a way u can ban these fools who come in here and disrespect the dead. I dont get it. No matter how he died or what he was up to.SHOW SOME FUCKING RESPECT!!!
wu said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I remember meeting Eyedea in like 99 he came thru OKC on a tour with Sage Francis there was about 13 people at that show all of us were friends and went spefically to meet this kid who we had been listening to and watching in battles, I walked up to him and said whats up Im Jabee , he said im Michael, lol I was like DUDE YOUR EYEDEA and he laughed…. Met him again in 03 he came thru OKC on the E&A tour he was so nice.. saw him at SXSW 2 yrs ago too dude was so humble
he was so dope!!!
RESPECT and many blessings
Jabee said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I wish it didn’t take an event like this to make me listen to this guy. I mean I had listened to a few songs but now I have actually LISTENED. By the Throat is an incredible album. Dude is a lyrical genius and has an amazing story to tell. RIP.
PS. Why you guys keep talking about him being an addict? Has an official cause of death even been reported yet?
eSo said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:25 pm
RIP
I don’t know how some random dude on here knows the cause of death when no credible publication does. Keep your assumptions and disrespect to yourself.
Haktuspit said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:27 pm
R.I.P. Anyone know how he died yet? And ignore 1dopepuertorican talkin shit about some1 who’s dead = a bitch who wants attention..show some maturity
Jonnielluminati put his cock between ya mommy said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:30 pm
R.I.P.
Stephanie said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:36 pm
RIP
wizardkhalifa said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
rest in peace
Higgs said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:50 pm
RIP and it’s michael not micheal..drives me crazy when people can’t spell that name right
yadida said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:52 pm
^nevermind guess he spells it differently..guess i’m a doucebag for the day
yadida said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
^^ lol, way to own up to your status for the day.
R.I.P Eyedea!
sorry said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Never heard of him until i received a copy of E&A a couple years ago. It’s super dope. Much respect, and RIP.
rootsmovement said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:00 pm
dude c’mon. too much hate in the world @1dopeyournameistoolongformetotryandwriteit. Their’s no need for that. + you know you’re just gunna stir things up, so just don’t do it man. I just don’t understand the reasoning.
peace and love
blair said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:02 pm
RIP…like @shake said…Just ignore those with nothing but disrespect on their tongues
Triz said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Lil boosie – What i learned.mp3
NEW
Dopeboyz said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
He’s white….
Drake said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
lol im a physiology major…let me tell u one thing..
when people make fun of death or old people…its
mostly because there feared of there own mortality.
111 said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Damn, crazy… I guess the good die young
yessah said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:37 pm
i want to know who dosnt fear their own mortality dude..
craiggg said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:38 pm
“i want to know who dosnt fear their own mortality dude..”
thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, and plain old junkies
downloadit said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Kanye West-Hell Of A Life.mp3
Boosie – What i learned .mp3
downloadit said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
R.I.P.
Merlin2408 said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm
R.I.P. Mikey.
Chris G. said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:50 pm
was extremely sad, but now thankful for those who were close to him publicly sharing…i hope that people spend more time digging into his music and what he had to say as an artist rather than speculate and make assumptions, it’s not your place, your place is to be a fan of music and listen.
“it’s beautiful how agony connects us to the living.” – eyedea.
Kevin Fairbanks said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
boosie is in jail for 3 yrs for drug stuff,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lil_Boosie#Murder_charge
..
and now on that new song “wat i learned” ^^ he says
” ” i got my 40 back,its loaded till they take me ,why my enemies comin back … ,back to sellin blocks back to tellin nigaz they cant huslte in my spot, they say it change when u sell blocks.keep ur steel niga””
.
Did he write a bunch of songs. kill niggaz then listen to it in jail and jam out..and if u listen to the 1st track of his NEW cd “Incarcerated” the devil track says people tryin to make him look like the devil and hes not the victim? …wtf
Dopeboyz said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
“i want to know who dosnt fear their own mortality dude..”
thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, and plain old junkies
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actually even some of them do….
BillClinton said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Damn.. RIP Eyedea. You’ve been in constant rotation lately..
David said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 5:14 pm
youtube.com/watch?v=G-1HNnxb0WE
dddd said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 5:18 pm
STILL with this guy? ugh.
Whocares32 said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 5:19 pm
2dope you need to let him rest in peace! Keep him off the page.
Whocares32 said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 5:19 pm
was never really a fan of eyedea but definetely gotta pay respects to somebody who truly cared about this shit we call hip-hop and music as a art form r.i.p.
AnalogDigital said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 5:24 pm
R.I.P. EYEDEA DID THEY SAY HOW HE DIED?!
47 said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 5:32 pm
REST IN PARADISE
LOVED THE ALBUMS.
THE ORPHANAGE WILL NEVER AGAIN BE COMPLETE.
lordaires said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 5:44 pm
R.I.P.
5 Ft. Deep said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 6:11 pm
RIP Eyedea
robert said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Respect.
Nahmyself said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 6:29 pm
A true classic of guy!
R.I.P. Eyedea
Sound Verite' said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 6:38 pm
RIP youz a real hero to me bruh
THAT nigga said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Damn so many legends dying, it’s fucked up. R.I.P.
Drake's balls in your mouth said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
1dopepuertoricanfromjersey .. You have never lost a family member to alcoholism? Well apparently not, but guess what homie, I have. And by you saying that any person with an addiction is worthless is the most blind and ignorant statement a human being can make. In other words, Fuck you. Don’t disrespect loved ones, especially a great such as Eyedea. Go fuck yourself. God knows the day when you see someone you love battle addiction. Then i want you to open your fucking mouth and disrespect loving people like that. Get the fuck out of here.
RIP to a great, Eyedea.
Spoken Truth said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 7:57 pm
RIP. YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED BY MANY AS ONE OF THE BEST THAT EVER DID IT.
HAN SOLO said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 8:00 pm
again, never saw him on 2dopeboyz and ive been on this forever. even if his shit came out long ago, if he was really good like you say, you would post his classics. you guys are faking. whatever, R.I.P.
nickd said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 8:44 pm
“you guys are faking”
get educated on hip hop..you sound like a fucking moron
Spoken Truth said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 8:46 pm
@nickd
you are a joke.
DYLLA said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I remember Eyedea back when he came through OKC doin the E & A thing, I bought a coouple of his vinyls …that stretch through those couple of years was dope with shows, I remember when he did some lyrics over that Hootie Hoo beat from Outkast shit was sick….I remember going to the Twizzle Zizzle and working merchandise next to him with Culture Shock Crew…I was listening to him on my Iphone the other day, then later checking my twitter is suggested being friends with Eyedea, I then noticed the posts from Rymesayers saying RIP and I was shocked….”you look like a mixture between Bart Simpson and Mystikal”…Much love for you man, you were part of my inspiration into getting into hip hop…See you on the other side …send me a message if you can…
Jenus (Jack Z.) LoudMouf said this on October 22nd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
I have seen this seen this dude live a handful of times in the Midwest. He was a true artist. He was there to express himself, and could give a fuck less what u thought. I feel lucky to have experienced him. RIP
MidwestStateOfMind said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 12:03 am
r.i.p. to a g.o.a.t. of battle rap n prolly da best MC from Minnesota to ever be born. i will miss your lyrics n da way you ripped douchebags like eminem a new asshole in battle raps maybe you n big l pimp c big pun biggie can do a record in heaven
Slicks said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 12:59 am
RIP
mmkayy said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 1:48 am
R.I.P Mikey Yo Shake why did you Edit The Post And take Out The Kind Words from Some Of his Best Friends Kristoff Krane..Another Great Talent…. Him And Mike where really Close
Dberry said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 2:13 am
@nickd
if you was on 2doepboyz FOREVER, then you would of seen Eyedea & Abilities last year… dumb ass
just because you don’t see it on 2doepboyz doesn’t meant that it’s not classic. there’s a lot of wack shit on here too.
Old School Baggy Jeans >>> New School Tight Jeans said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 2:38 am
i just got to learn of eyedea about a month or so before his passing
R.I.P.
my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends
apr said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 3:30 am
@1dopepuertoricanfromjersey. You’ve been trolling on every Eyedea post since his passing. Why would you bring all this negativity to these posts? I grew up near Minneapolis and whether you feel the midwest underground scene or not he was a pure lyricist and did a lot for the scene. Being anonymous and saying hateful things knowing you’ll never truly be confronted is weak and I hope you realize this. At least for every person like this there are 50 showing respect and acting like a proper human being. You’ve been disrespecting these posts from the start for no reason. People like you don’t add anything to this world and maybe that’s why you act the way you do.
Fink said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 4:25 am
R.I.P, Mr. Bottle Dreams
goretex303 said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 12:55 pm
R.I.P.
BIG P. said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Rip… This dude had real talent.
Rob said this on October 23rd, 2010 at 5:04 pm
he was cool =/…..i miss Mikey =(…i named my guitar Mikey =/
Oliver said this on November 12th, 2010 at 2:44 pm