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| Open Mike Eagle |
Quick.
Somebody show me to the graveyard that plays host to gimmick-rapper retirees.
Where exactly do those old bones go to fossilize?
When karats and begets tarnish and doo rags and fitted caps get replace by beanies and flea market dashikis, what will ‘bling-bling’ rap have to show for itself?
“the only thing certain in life is death and taxes.”
Benjamin Franklin
As much as certain rappers try to portray themselves as larger than life, this pertains to them as well.
Current L.A. Art Rap flag-barer and Project Blowed freestyle champion Open Mike Eagle has unleashed his latest album entitled, Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes.
Talk about omens.
This cut is full of textures doused in heavy synth and soul loops in the same stroke conjures up sonic remnants of the extraterrestrial.
A lot of that “out-of-this-world” sound is thanks in part to producers like Willie Green and E. Super.
A Chicago implant doing big things on the west coast hip-hop scene, Open Mike’s approach to Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes, saunters back and forth between light-hearted and tragic moods. Both approaches constitute a style which is evolving with his growing command of melodies and hook writing. He has improved on the already dope skill set exhibited on his last full-length release, Unapologetic Art Rap.
One would be remiss to dismiss the Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes album as one void of poignant lyrical content. The writing is truly sincere. The term “real rap” is certainly not of place here.
Open Mike really just raps about staying true yourself(see: No Body Nose), being strong enough to chase your dreams (see: Bright Green Lights) surviving the traps of the industry (see: Kings) all the while celebrating just being a regular guy (see: Dishes).
There are traces of the impact that social institutions have had on personal achievement and deeper content that requires some degree of intelligence to fully enjoy.
Nightmares and Bright Green Lights are both standouts in their on rights on the album, with video releases circulating for both.
There’s nothing run-of-the-mill about this album, it talks about normal people and their everyday experience, which has ironically become abnormal. The word for this album in its intent and execution is refreshing.
And though we don’t wish death on any of the brothers and sisters that make up the exaggerated element of our hip-hop community, we do appreciate the creative and responsible wake-up call that is, Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes.
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