Hip-hop and comedy; if you thought these two different art forms could never coincide then you haven’t listened to Open Mike Eagle’s newest album, “Dark Comedy.” 

The former special-education teacher turned rapper is no stranger to the hip-hop scene having released three previous solo albums. The Chicago-bred rapper (now residing in Los Angeles) delivers an album filled with 90’s pop culture references and comedy that leaves the listener laughing, nostalgic and curious about who Open Mike Eagle is as a person.

The album opens up with “Dark Comedy Morning Show,” the albums table of contents touches briefly on many of the themes and ideas that the rest of the album covers.

Mike welcomes old and new listeners with a confession, “For those who haven’t heard of me/I’m bad at sarcasm so I work in absurdity.” 

Mike also satirizes American media, “There’s mad shootings on the news/Unless it’s in the Chi, cause blacks and Mexicans can die,” and also finds time to give a shout out to Slug from the hip-hop group Atmosphere. It’s a great opener that forces even the most incompetent listener to pay attention to the journey the album takes you on.

The lead single on the track, “Qualifiers,” is Mike’s commentary on the arrogance and emptiness that the current state of rap is in. 

Of course, Mike does this by making fun of himself, saying “I make jazz jokes so I’m flat broke,” admitting that his rap style will never make him rich. However, he finds solace in knowing his “clothes are clean and his kids fed.”

Adding to the album’s comedic side, well-known comedian Hannibal Buress, jumps on the track “Doug Stamper (Advice Raps),” a shout out to the character on the hit Netflix series “House of Cards.” 

The album proceeds to take a turn to the dark side with “Idaho,” which gives a interesting, yet eye-opening, image of life on a road bus late at night. However, the album maintains its humor as it rolls into “Informations” featuring Kool A.D., where Mike raps about technology literally taking over his life.

dark Comedy, culminating in 13 tracks and a swift 45 minutes, sends us on a personal journey of Mike’s thoughts, observations and witty insights which makes it a great listen and is up there for 2014’s hip-hop album of the year. 

*Carolan Rating of 8 out of 10 paws*