Take a listen to Open Mike Eagle’s new A Special Episode Of EP via Bandcamp. Feautures help from Paul Barman, Exile, Gold Panda, and more.

First World Records: “The Soviet Tape is a new collaboration between Fulgeance & DJ Scientist. Their debut single ‘Moscow Nightlife’ is the perfect introduction to their sound: heavy instrumental hip hop culled exclusively from Scientist’s un-rivalled collection of vintage Soviet-era records. Scientist, one of Germany’s most prolific record collectors (check out his incredible ‘Soviet Grooves’ mix for Solid Steel) dug out a slew of samples from his archives, enlisting Fulgeance (MPC virtuoso and one half of Souleance) who transformed the source material into a truly unique and original album.

Taking forgotten records from Russia to Moldavia, The Ukraine, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia and beyond, the duo have interspersed the largely instrumental album with skits culled from 60s CIA documentaries as well as vocal cuts featuring Blu, Open Mike Eagle and DistantStarr. This all adds up to a release that is both a throwback to the uncertain times of the Cold War and a tribute to the great depth of music that the former Union was responsible for.

With high-concept artwork from Emile Sacre, taking it’s cue from original Soviet records, the album is in turns jazzy, psychedelic and soulful, but with hip hop at it’s core. A follow up is already in the works – keep ‘em peeled comrades!

This two track sampler includes the synth-heavy menace of ‘Vendetta’, and ‘From Lithuania With Love’ featuring Open Mike Eagle and Blu.”

From the upcoming A Special Episode of EP due February 3, produced by lo-phi.

Mello Music Group: “It’s been an incredible year for Open Mike Eagle, first he signed a multi-album deal with Mello Music Group, then he released the critically acclaimed album Dark Comedy, and after months of touring North America, he is off for his first ever European Tour. Oh, and he has an incredible new podcast called “Secret Skin” that is on the Infinite Guests network of American Public Media. Here’s an end of the year reminder of why he should be on you radar: Late Show, produced by Exile, starring Open Mike Eagle (side note, this will appear on the annual Mello Music Group compilation out in early 2015).

From the album Dark Comedy. Directed by Jay Brown. After FX by Paul Mailihoff.

Title track from Open Mike Eagle’s stellar Dark Comedy LP.

Philly emcee MarQ Spekt and NY producer Blockhead grab Aesop Rock and Open Mike Eagle for an assist on the chill, laid back sounds of “Air Pegasus (Le Cadeau)”. Unfortunately this dope track did not make it in time for the release of their new album JustPlayWitIt, which is available now.

Mike tells us: “this is about my favorite radio show. they play it on the air sometimes too. when they do i giggle. theronandfezshow.com.”

Song Exploder talks with Open Mike Eagle about his track “Dark Comedy Morning Show”, from the album Dark Comedy.

One of the last remnants of the Project Blowed school of emcees, LA’s Open Mike Eagle is quite easily one of its brightest stars. Catching our attention early on with songs that poked fun at hip-hop, such as “Rappers Will Die Of Natural Causes” and “Your Backpack Past”, not to mention “Billy’s Quagmire” with Blockhead, Mike has quickly become one of our favorite new artists to watch. Named by the L.A. Weekly as “the hottest thing in indie rap”, his new album, Dark Comedy, for Mello Music Group, almost acts as his official major-indie debut.

There couldn’t be a more apt title for this album, as Dark Comedy pretty much sums up Mike’s rhyme style, as the album includes several laugh-out-loud, rewind moments. Completely unpredictable, its unclear where he is going to take his next rhyme. Reminiscent of a Sean Price or MF Doom, yet its own thing entirely, Mike’s style is rooted in freestyle rhymes and incredibly hilarious. Take this entire first verse of “Golden Age Raps”, for instance:

“Fuck Redding, California, cause shit’s pretty racial there / I’m envious of anyone with full-grown facial hair / Yeah, I’m always in between haircuts / But FDR said it ain’t shit to be scared of / Huh, he must have never smoked herb / Been beaten by his dad or heard bad spoken word / I got a pretty mean overbite / I’m still trying to navigate the settings on my Focusrite preamp / Condenser mic attached with a c-clamp / Weed on the patio, chiefing under the heat lamp / Yeah, or sneak in with a g-pen / And take that shit to church and stay high all weekend / Yeah, I’ll fucking interrupt your telecast hella fast / in a blonde wig and blue eyed Ellen mask…”

Endlessly entertaining, much of the album plays out like this, referencing funny, forgotten pop culture references with sly lyrical wit.

“Doug Stamper”, which features a little help from comedian Hannibal Burress, is another stand out, as the duo host “The Advice Show”, giving unsolicited guidance which you may or may not want to take yourself. Later on “Jon Lovitz (Fantasy Booking Yarn)”, Mike outlines the over-promising and under-delivering of booking agencies, record companies, etc. In a sobering moment, he pulls back on “Idaho”, a narrative about a night of mistaken drunken driving, as the track builds to a disturbing crescendo.

Mike’s unapologetic, subterranean style is not for everyone, and is a huge departure from most modern hip-hop – both underground and mainstream. But that is what also makes it completely fresh and original from most anything else out there at the moment.

From Mike’s Dark Comedy LP, which is available now on Mello Music Group.

Mello Music Group’s resident Wildean MC, Open Mike Eagle, teamed up with comedian Hannibal Buress to advise the world on pressing problems in the new song, Doug Stamper (Advice Raps). Celebrating the release of his new album, the track is available for free on Mello Music Group’s bandcamp.

The new album, Dark Comedy, is out now Digitally and on CD (vinyl coming soon!)

“A History of Modern Dance” is Open Mike Eagle’s Dark Comedy take on every Cosby Show opening sequence ever (and features a cameo from fellow Hellfyre Club member Busdriver). Allow the sinister production by Jeremiah Jae to wash over you while Open Mike makes Bill’s trademark moves look smoother than ever. “A History of Modern Dance” is featured on Open Mike Eagle’s upcoming Dark Comedy LP due June 10 via Mello Music Group. The record includes appearances from superstar commedian/rapper Hannibal Buress, Kool A.D. (of Das Racist), and more.

“Very Much Money (Ice King Dream)” is the latest release from the upcoming ‘Dark Comedy’ LP from the Chicago bred and LA based Hellfyre Club member Open Mike Eagle (recently signed to Mello Music Group). The track displays Mike’s natural aptitude for both singing and rapping, with production courtesy of UK beat maker Ultra Combo. The Dark Comedy album is due June 10 and features appearances from comedian Hannibal Buress, Kool A.D. (of Das Racist), Jeremiah Jae and more. Download “Very Much Money” and pre-order the album from the links below.

The post modern poet and newest member of Mello Music Group, Open Mike Eagle, is announcing his debut record with the label. The new project, Dark Comedy, goes beyond sarcasm for those who might miss it otherwise. The album takes the stage on June 10th, but until then, we proudly present the Dark Comedy Morning Show as our opener. Pre-Order the album on iTunes and you’ll get a single right now.