Bullseye with Jesse Thorn is a production of MaximumFun.org and is distributed by NPR.

I'm Jesse Thorn, it's Bullseye.

I guess you could call OpenMike Eagle a rapper on the rise, but it's been a long, steady,

unusual rise.

He was born in Chicago, moved to LA.

That's a young man.

And for the first part of his adult life, he was a teacher.

He actually didn't release his first album until he was almost 30.

In his rap, in his rhymes, there is humor, which you see a lot in that.

But it's weirder and self-deprecating at times, too.

Like that first album he put out was called Unapologetic Art Rap.

Kind of a power move, right?

Anyway, everything's coming up, Mike Eagle now.

Alongside Baron Vaughn, Mike co-stars in a new comedy central show called The New Negroes.

It's a variety show, combining live stand-up with original music videos that Mike made

with other artists.

When I talked with Mike in 2017, he just released a record called Brick Body Kids Still Daydream.

It's really great.

Let's take a listen to Brick Body Complex, the first singer for the record.

Open Mike Eagle, welcome to Bullseye.

It's great to have you on the show.

Thanks for having me, man.

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