Oct 25, 2010

Michael "Eyedea" Larsen Tribute


I'm late on posting this but that isn't the point. Saturday, October 16, 2010 Michael "Eyedea" Larsen, was found dead by his mother in his bed. Autopsy results have yet to come back but it is known that he died in his sleep. Eyedea was a true gift to the world, here are some words from family and friends on the loss:
Dear Son, Always remember that where ever you go and what ever you do my love will always be with you. I knew before you were born that you were going to affect the world. I didn’t know how or with what gift, but now I do. You have given me the most joy, trouble, happiness, and pain. Now it’s time for the rest of us to step up and be the humans you know we can be. All my love, Mom

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Mike was the closest friend I ever had. He was as caring as he was brilliant and was a true prodigy. I am honored to have been in his life and to have created with him and help spread his messages. He was a great human being and he will be missed. – Gregory Keltgen (Dj Abilities)

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I met Mikey when he was 14 and he was so full of energy, but so focused for his age. I have always been amazed at his knowledge and thirst for life being so young. On more than one occasion, I have had to remind myself how young he really was while we were all coming up. He was such a special individual, he mastered everything he touched and wanted to touch everything. He was the most free person I have ever known and he approached life like a scientist, wanting to dissect all of her meanings so he could share them with others. Mikey had an amazing spirit and a truly gifted mind and all of us who were blessed to experience this immediately became better people. This life couldn’t contain my friend and so he’s moved on to his next journey, but I know he’ll forever be in our hearts and minds pushing us to live life to the fullest, be better and be free. – Brent Sayers (aka Siddiq aka Stress)

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My friend, my brother. I do not know who I would be without your influence in my life. You challenged me without tearing me down. You pushed and encouraged me to be a better person. You had my back even when I didn’t have my own back. Your words, thoughts, and ideas impacted me in ways that I probably haven’t fully realized yet. You made me laugh and cry. You made me look and question. Thank you for everything. I love you Mikey. – Sean Daley (Slug)

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I traveled many places for the first time with Mikey, and always remember how he would wake up in the van and say, “Man, this looks just like St. Paul.” All those first tours, Mikey was under 21, and the only way I knew it was the “X’s” on his hands each night. He was always older than his age to me. When I moved to Minneapolis to work with Rhymesayers 10 years ago, Mikey had a huge impact on my decision to make that leap of faith. He gave me the courage and a purpose. There were many days away from home that we spent together, and those times have helped define who I am today. He always inspired me, challenged me and made me laugh. Anytime, I’m on the road and drive into Columbus, St. Louis or Pittsburgh, I’m going to think, man, this looks just like St. Paul. I will always remember, always love and always miss Mikey. – J-Bird

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Eyedea was a precious soul. We’re better artists for working with him and better people for knowing him. He added so generously to our lives and his passing leaves an empty space in our hearts. His spirit will forever be entwined in our life changing moments. Thank you, Mikey for sharing your light with us. We love you so very much and your music, insight and laughter will never leave us. – Brother Ali

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Mikey was the 15 year old kid sleeping on my couch at Scribble Jam, slaying mc’s 10 yrs older than him. There was nothing anyone could do. I’ve never met a more supportive mother in my life than Kathy. Kathy is the shit. – Mr. Dibbs

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Eyedea was the purest artist I have ever met. An all around amazing human being. Great rapper. And a better friend. – Murs

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I will always remember laughing constantly whenever he was around. He had a great energy about him that didn’t allow you to take yourself too seriously, ever. If you were spazzing out about something really minor or trivial, he was the kinda dude that wouldn’t really react to it the same way. He might just start laughing or crack a joke to break the tension and make everybody else laugh. Then you would see that you were over-reacting and calm down–without him ever really telling you to calm down. I always admired that quality about him. He never got caught up in the stream, no matter how powerful it was. He always did his own thing. – Blueprint

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Mikey was an artist in constant transition. If you blinked and missed a moment of brilliance he’d be sure to fill you in on what you missed. Now that he can’t be here to do that we will gladly do it for him. With the heaviest of hearts. – Sage Francis

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Mikey was a challenge. To everyone. And to himself. His challenges seemed to bring him great joy and give his life meaning. If challenge is what life is all about, he lived several full lifetimes in the short while he was here. Mikey certainly challenged me and I’m eternally grateful to him for that. He was one of my favorite people in the world and I’ll miss him very much. – Rich Terfry (Buck 65)

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Eyedea was a brilliant visionary who wore his soul outside of his body and kept his heart on his sleeves at all times. He was on a constant evolutionary quest for truth, justice, love, peace, and the overall existence of life and our roles in it. In the spirit of John Coltrane or Malcolm X he wasn’t afraid to change trajectories mid flight despite what anyone said embracing contradictions and tension like a lost but found soul mate. To him the process and the product was the same, he was creative expression personified. I didn’t always understand him or his vision but I always felt him. He has returned to the essence in a more powerful form helping us think outside of the boxes we place or are placed in front of us. He taught us what freedom really meant and what it looked like in action and for that I am forever grateful. – Chaka M’Kali (I Self Devine)

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Mikey, thank you for all the help, honesty and insane laughter. I will read every book you told me to. Thank you for the constant inspiration, whether to be the best, or destroy best as a concept. You never stopped progressing. You lived as art. You were a good friend, I miss you. – Stef Alexander (P.O.S)

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Mikey always struck me as a person that said exactly what he felt like saying in a well thought out way. Be it in the battle scene, on his albums, or in regular conversation. He’s one of the few people I saw start a conversation with a stranger on a plane and talk to them comfortably for hours. He will be extremely missed. – Toki Wright

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Eyedea was definitely thee MC from the Midwest (other than Juice) who earned our (the West Coast’s) respect for the Midwest indie rap scene thru battling in the underground circuit and shining on countless freestyle sessions heard live on stage, on nationwide radio and in street circles…I witnessed it, having had the pleasure to compete against him in Scribble Jam, watch him slay the HBO Blaze battle, then tour the USA with him on the same bus having freestyle sessions every night with some of the best MCs – his rise was true…his impact on Midwest indie rap was and still is enormous…we all saw him evolve musically from just a dope battle MC to a full fledged heart pouring artist with Abilities at his side; as an artist, i’ll always remember him as having a true passion for exploring the bounds of his creativity; but most of all, as just Mikey – he was a great friend to have, to talk to and chill with, and he always ALWAYS showed mad love, respect & acknowledgment for the Goodlife / Project Blowed family so it’s nothing but eternal love for our friend and brother from another mother…rest well my friend…rest well. – Abstract Rude

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Anyone who carries leadership qualities always has my utmost respect. I truly feel he was a leader. So many others were so much closer to him to already know this firsthand, but if I could sense it from a distance, it must’ve been so potent to those up-front. In the few days after his passing I can tell what a dent he has left in people’s hearts by the amazing words written to describe his genius ways on & off the mic. I salute you Eyedea. – Evidence

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I first met Eyedea in 1997 when he came through a radio show I was working at. He was just 15 or 16 then, but already seemed more passionate and creatively curious than most. In the years to come, it was my privilege to call him a friend. Mikey had a great sense of humor, an unshakable confidence in his art, and a mind that was always looking to push forward. He worked unbelievably hard, constantly trying to find new ways of expressing himself in the most honest and spontaneous way possible. I’m so proud to have known him, and I’m heartbroken to have to say goodbye so soon. – BK-One

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You never expect to hear that a friend has passed. Not someone so young, so talented, an artist at heart. I can still hear the enthusiasm in his voice, the passion for what he was doing. He is a true inspiration to anyone struggling to find their own voice, and then speak. – Skye Rossi

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To be idle is a short road to death, and Mikey was never idle, so it is with great distress to me that my friend is gone. To think of him as a new ancestor, an old friend and a brilliant artist is appropriate, and that is what I’ll do. – Psalm One

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He was fearless, groundbreaking, hilarious, and a warm…true friend who I had a GREAT respect for. 1 of the people who paved the way so others could do what they do. All love from me to him & K. Can’t say RIP cuz to me he’s still here, just in a higher form. – Onry Ozzborn

A public wake will happen on October 28th, and a “Celebration of the Life of Michael “Eyedea” Larsen event will be held on November 9th. For more information go to Rhymesayers’ official site.

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