Open Mike Eagle Exposes His Addiction to Something We All Cherish (Audio)

Los Angeles-based MC and sometimes producer Open Mike Eagle made major waves with his 2014 album Dark Comedy, which was lauded by indie and mainstream outlets alike. Having graduated from the Project Blowed school of underground Rap in the city which has birthed contemporaries like Anderson .Paak, Flying Lotus, Nocando, Thundercat, Kamasi Washington and others, Mike is a Chicago native whose penchant for the whimsical, humorous, and philosophical makes him a uniquely gifted artist. Since releasing his 2010 debut Unapologetic Art Rap, he’s carved for himself a path built atop oddball themes, exceptionally curated beats, and collaborations that exist outside the mainframe of typical indie Rap.

His latest album – unsurprisingly featuring a quirky title – is a collaboration with U.K. producer Paul White, who has previously worked with Yasiin Bey, Danny Brown and Homeboy Sandman, most notably to Heads. Hella Personal Film Festival arrives on March 25 via Mello Music Group and includes a track featuring Aesop Rock. The album’s opening track also serves as its second single, and its title is a fitting encapsulation of the tune’s uplifting sound. “Admitting the Endorphin Addiction” is an ode to the universal struggle to find unending happiness, and Mike’s idiosyncratic lyrics are postcards from a trip we’ve all taken.

Mike has also been busy performing and touring with fellow Chicago rapper Serengeti, with whom he formed the duo Cavanaugh and released Time and Materials in February.

Bonus Beat: Listen to Episode #50 of Open Mike Eagle’s podcast Secret Skin, featuring Jean Grae as the guest.

Related: Project Blowed’s Open Mike Eagle Channels All Of The The Cosby Show Intros (Video)