Eyedea is on track for recognition

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Though his life in Minneapolis remains the same, 19-year-old emcee Michael Larsen - better known as Eyedea - had better get used to his newfound fame. He is about to begin a 24-date tour with his disc jockey/producer Abilities, along with Slug from the group Atmosphere.

Brainstorm Emcee Battle Finals with performances by Atmosphere, Eyedea & DJ Abilities at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Paradox Theater, 5510 University Way N.E., Seattle. All-ages general admission, $12 (206-524-7677).

Just three months ago, Eyedea ripped through every emcee in his path to win the Blaze Battle in New York City, later broadcast by HBO to millions. The battle consisted of 14 rappers in a tournament of freestyling or crafting their rhymes.

In the finals, Eyedea landed more punch lines than his challenger Shells, driving the crowd into hysterics. "I'll let you know I coulda been your dad right/ Matter of fact I was with your mom last night/ Matter fact I'm the reason your little sister is half white," busted Eyedea.

Soon thereafter a proliferation of MP3s of the battle surfaced, raising his reputation as one of the best freestylers in hip-hop. Even a media company claimed to represent Eyedea and spread the rumor that Puff Daddy offered a nine-album deal with a $700,000 advance for the champion.

"I'm all about being a star," joked Eyedea.

"[Actually] I'm all about being able to sell my music that I believe in, and if I had the connections, to putting on everybody I'm down with [I would do it] because I like what they're doing."

With Abilities, his first 12-inch single "Pushing Buttons/ Architect's Theme/ A Murder Of Memories" on Rhymesayers Entertainment has already built considerable buzz for its catchy beats and distinct rhyming styles. Eyedea & Abilities plan to release another 12-inch before the summer release of the full-length album "First Born."

"It's going to surprise a lot of people at how it's put together and how focused the record is," said Eyedea. "We've been waiting four years for this debut."

Eyedea wrote his first rhyme at age 10, gravitated toward freestyling and soon decided that he wanted to rap for the rest of his life. To continue the trade, he felt he had to elevate himself to the level of his older, more advanced peers.

"I was figuring in my head, `If I'm not this dope, I shouldn't even be rapping'," said Eyedea. "It was just like a drive to become that dope."

And now emcees with the egos or the skills to match will take the opportunity to test Eyedea's talents. He doesn't worry about these situations though and has his sights set on higher goals. Eyedea has delved into making beats as well as writing a movie and poetry book. He envisions himself publishing a screenplay and Quentin Tarantino calling him and saying, "Yo dude, I like your movie."

Hopefully by then Eyedea will have moved out of his mother's house.

Not much has changed for Blaze Battle champion Michael Larsen.