Eyedea: A Life Cut Short The St. Paul, Minn., rapper Eyedea, born Michael Larsen, died Saturday at 28. Listen to a studio session Larsen recorded with Minnesota Public Radio's The Current last year.

Eyedea: A Life Cut Short

Eyedea: A Life Cut Short

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Spotlight: Eyedea & Abilities Perform 'This Story'

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Watch Video From This Session

Minnesota rapper Eyedea, a.k.a. Michael Larsen, died Saturday at age 28. courtesy of Rhymesayers Entertainment hide caption

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courtesy of Rhymesayers Entertainment

Minnesota rapper Eyedea, a.k.a. Michael Larsen, died Saturday at age 28.

courtesy of Rhymesayers Entertainment

Hear Songs From This Session

"Spin Cycle"

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"Burn Fetish"

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"Hay Fever"

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Tragic news came to us over the weekend: St. Paul. Minn., rapper Eyedea, born Michael Larsen, died Saturday. He was 28.

Known to independent hip-hop fans worldwide for his rapid-fire delivery and celebrated locally as one of many stars on the Rhymesayers roster, Eyedea was also a respected freestyle battle champion, winning top honors at competitions such as HBO's "Blaze Battle" and Ohio's "Scribble Jam." At 18, Eyedea was already a part of Minnesota's thriving hip-hop scene as a hypeman for the city's most popular act, Atmosphere.

No cause of death has been announced yet. We were lucky to have Eyedea and his DJ partner Abilities play live in the The Current's studios last July, as part of David Campbell's The Local Show.

The Current's Facebook page has posted information about Eyedea's memorial.