Open Mike Eagle has taken his new track “Qualifiers” many a places in his live set, including a special laundromat performance. With a chorus of “we the best, mostly / sometimes the freshest rhymers / we the tightest, kinda / respect my qualifiers”, it's a refrain going out to his non-medalist rapper peers – worthy of gracing a Hellfyre Club t-shirt.
The first verse accepts the truths about rap corresponding with real life as Open Mike Eagle is on stage imploring you to get on your feet and getting his son's doo-doo on his hands changing diapers seconds later. The second verse offers a glimpse into how rap is misconstrued in world views. Much like you probably can't name three of the other Olympic athletes who raced against Usain Bolt in the 100 meter dash, people in Uganda have little knowledge of rap beyond mainstream radio's hedonistic champions. Pair the simple life at home with a Goliath to battle overseas in reshaping the world's impression of American hip hop and it's easy to understand why Open Mike Eagle simply wants respect for those who qualify in a race where the more chains weighing you down, the more likely you'll be a winner.
The Dorner vs Tookie mixtape is out as a free download in October with a limited edition cassette to follow. The mixtape features Flash Bang Grenada, Open Mike Eagle, Busdriver, milo, Rheteric Ramirez, VerBS, Taurus Scott, The Kleenrz, KAIL, and Nocando.
August
28 Los Angeles, CA @ The Airliner (Low End Theory)*
29 Yuma, AZ @ The Basement / Inca Lanes*
30 Tempe, AZ @ Stray Cat*
31 Albuquerque, NM @ Chill Factory*
September
01 Santa Fe, NM @ Warehouse 21*
03 El Paso, TX @ The Percolator*
04 Austin @ The North Door*
05 San Antonio, TX @ 502 Bar*
06 Ft Worth, TX @ Tomcats*
07 Fayetteville, AR @ Smoke and Barrel Tavern*
10 St. Louis, MO @ Blank Space*
12 Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree*
13 Atlanta Booked @ 529*
14 Jacksonville, FL @ 1904*
15 Orlando, FL @ Bikkuri Lounge*
16 Charlotte, NC @ Knocturnal at Snug Harbor*
30 Portland, Maine @ The Space+
October
01 Boston, MA @ Middle East+
03 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory+
05 Middletown, CT @ Wesleyan College+
06 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s+
08 Washington, DC @ DC9+
09 Poughkeepsie, NY @ Vassar College+
10 Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery+
11 Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks+
* w/ Homeboy Sandman and Mega Ran
+ w/ Jel, Serengeti, and Sole
