Image Credit: Dan MonickMinnesota rapper Eyedea has passed away at age 28. His mother tells the Associated Press that he died in his sleep at his home in St. Paul on Oct. 16. A cause of death has not been established.
Born Michael Larsen, Eyedea recorded several albums for noted indie label Rhymesayers. He most often worked with a close partner, DJ Abilities, as the duo Eyedea & Abilities. (Watch Eyedea & Abilities’ 2009 video for “Smile” after the jump.)
“It is with great pain and sadness that I tell you my son Mikey (Eyedea) has passed away,” his mother said in a statement posted on his record label’s website. “At this time we kindly request you respect our privacy as we process this devastating loss.”
Please join the Music Mix in sending our condolences to Eyedea’s friends, family, and fans.
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RIP Mike. I remember one time he showed up to a concert at my youth center, and he wasn’t supposed to be there. I stood outside with him and smoked a cigarette with him while I was on the phone with a friend of mine. I told her that I wished she was there. If I had known that was going to be my last time seeing him, I would have done something different. Mike, you will be missed with your crazy ways.
top 5 freestyle rappers… ever.
RIP Eyedea.. My condolences go out to the friends and family. A devastating loss indeed.
Def one of the best freestyle rappers yet, he knew how to destroy another rapper. RIP Mike you will be missed.
RIP GOD
you are a legend
rip God
best lyricist to ever live
Legend Eyedea
I’m honored that I met Eyedea at a show in my hometown of San Antonio, TX in 2004. He is one of the greatest emcee’s ever, and my condolonces go out too his fans, friends, and family. “Winter takes the warm away, spring takes the cold away, summer takes the rain away, and fall took away my friend”-Eyedea. You will be missed.
At Sin13? It was crazy when they blew the power. I didn’t meet him until the Themselves/Eyedea & Abilities show in Austin. He will be missed for sure.
YO. san antonio reppin.
yah i heard about that sin13 show.
i went to the austin show the next day.
who are you?
jeez i missed that sin 13 show my friend texted me from the show talkin bout they blew the power too sadly i was tattooing and missed it sux now that i know that was a missed oppurtunity that i will never get a chance at rip but sa town reppin also
RIP to great man! major props for his skills Never Be Forgotten!!!
worst 5 freestylers ever. totally wack and emo.
Really samson? What a terrible thing to say on such a sad day for everyone that did love him and his music. RIP Eyedea, you will be missed.
if he were alive he’d lyrically rip you to shreds all off the top of his head. “emo?” at least some people is this world have emotions still. obviously we all now know someone who doesn’t. ^
HurriUK on September 24, 2008 Wow.I love Avenue Q, I’ve seen tons of different casts reofprm that song, and this has to be the worst version I’ve ever seen.
Why Samson, did he rip you or a friends apart once and you feel a little vengeful and jealous? Because now person will ever approach the level of skill he displayed. I hope I am wrong and we see someone with his skill once again because this is a staggering loss.
Damn Samson that’s awfully cold of you to say. Trust me, opinions are opinions and everyone has their own, but there’s such a thing as common courtesy and respect to your fellow human beings. Instead voicing your opinion during such a hurtful time, you should have just kept your damn stupid mouth shut you piece of crap.
Karma is a powerful thing. I know nothing about this young man, but I do know he was loved and there is at least one heart mourning. Have respect… you’d want that for your loved ones too.
Such a shame that you are too narrow minded, he will be missed more then you ever will.
Who???
the best rapper to ever live. look him up
damn man…. big loss
Sad, That track made me Smile.
R.I.P. man, i had the privilege of seeing E&A live about 4 or 5 times, and i had met Eyedea twice, he even signed one of my shirts wrong because he told me the second E was silent lol…. HE will be missed but the music lives on
REST IN PEACE. i look up to you as a musician and lyricist. your music makes people feel good. your music helped prove that there is still good in hip hop and the world. your poetry will live on in all of us. in a way you can say that you ever died. much love to you and your family eyedea.
My first experience was standing next to him at 7th street not know who he was till he took the stage… I then saw the absolute most rememberable moment in my hip hop montage Eyedea battled abilities where abilities would scratch a certain pattern and Eyedea would freestyle the pattern back this was in 2000 at the Unknown Prophets cd release party. I’ve since Had the pleasure of small talk and hand shakes at different random moments. My flag flys at half mast for the rest of the year. My hat goes off to the man who put the bird in puffys face. Hip hop rejoice and listen to the talented emcees we have lost this year have a message have a purpose R.I.P. Eyedea. Guru. True players of the game
<3