One of the Twin Cities most beloved musical talents has passed away. Micheal “Eyedea” Larsen, a longtime Rhymesayer, singer, lyricist and fixture in the indie hip-hop scene died early this morning, just a month shy of his 29th birthday.

Friends of Larsen said his mother, Kathy Averill, found him this morning.

“It is with great pain and sadness that I tell you my son Mikey (Eyedea) has passed away,” she wrote on his personal Facebook page. “At this time we kindly request your respect and our privacy as we process this devastating loss. On behalf of Mikey’s family, close friends and fans, thank you.”

Part of the Rhymesayers crew from its early days and a creative force to be reckoned with behind the mic, Eyedea painted beautiful and often abstract pictures with his lyrics, revealing the raw, serrated edges of emotion. He and his DJ, Abilities (a.k.a. Max Keltgen) were champions of their crafts and best friends since the age of 14.

A memorial fundraiser has been started here

RIP and thanks for the craftmanship and dedication to an art form that gets recycled and sold at value prices day in and day out. Hip Hop and music in general lost an unheralded legend…….

November 9, 1981 – October 17, 2010