It’s hard to believe that 15 years have passed since the death of Michael “Eyedea” Larsen. Eyedea‘s passing in October 2010 deeply impacted the underground hip hop community, especially because he was only 28 years old, and his death came out of nowhere. I briefly met Eyedea shortly after I moved from rural New Hampshire to California, when my group, Restiform Bodies, performed at a show in San Jose alongside notable Rhymesayers artists Atmosphere, Eyedea & Abilities, and the anticon. crew. Although we didn’t talk much, I remember him as incredibly talented and genuinely friendly. At that time, he had recently won the Blaze Battle championship, notably hosted by hip hop legend KRS-One.
Over the past few years, independent publisher Parker Pubs has been highlighting influential underground hip hop artists through detailed books about MCs such as Myka 9, 2Mex, Riddlore, Otherwize, and “Rifleman” Ellay Khule. Their latest book, The Many Facets of Eyedea, offers a deep and personal look into Eyedea‘s life and artistry. The book includes Eyedea‘s lyrics, poems, and stories from close friends and collaborators, providing a respectful portrait of his life and struggles, including his battle with addiction. Eyedea‘s mother and several collaborators contributed to this project, ensuring it authentically honors his memory without sensationalizing personal difficulties. Despite dealing with heavy topics, the book focuses on celebrating Eyedea‘s artistic legacy and his lasting influence on music.
I haven’t had a chance to read this book yet, but I’m looking forward to it, especially since I enjoyed the earlier Myka 9 biography. My friend J.B. Best, known by long-time anticon. fans as pedestrian, is one of the co-editors of the Eyedea book, which makes me even more excited to check it out.
For more insights into how this book came together, Parker wrote an excellent article on Medium, which you can read here.
There’s also a documentary that came out in 2016 called The World Has No Eyedea, featuring interviews with his friends and family that I recommend watching. Here’s the trailer:
You can buy the book here.
