Open Mike Eagle – contraband (the plug has bags of me)

Open Mike Eagle drops ‘contraband (the plug has bags of me)’ as the lead single from his upcoming album ‘Neighborhood Gods Unlimited’, arriving July 11th via Auto Reverse Records.

Originally conceived as a television series called ‘Dark Comedy Television’ – about a cable network that could only afford one hour of airtime per week – the project transformed into an album when Eagle realised he needed to control his narrative. There’s something beautifully ironic about turning a TV concept into music because the medium wasn’t trustworthy enough for such personal material.

‘contraband’ finds Eagle reflecting on his Chicago childhood with the kind of clarity that only comes from years of distance. Kenny Segal’s production provides the perfect backdrop – jazzy enough to feel comfortable but unpredictable enough to keep you alert. The track captures that specific experience of being the brainy kid in a tough neighborhood.

Eagle’s approach to storytelling remains uniquely his own—conversational without being casual, introspective without becoming self-indulgent. The song title itself suggests contraband as a metaphor, positioning personal experiences as valuable enough to be trafficked but dangerous enough to be hidden.

The album promises to function like a complete television season with opening themes, flashbacks, and even commercials. For an artist who’s spent years navigating between comedy, television, and hip-hop, ‘Neighborhood Gods Unlimited’ feels like the convergence of all his talents into something necessarily personal.

Tour dates include shows with Cavalier, Rhys Langston, and even a stint opening for clipping. and Phantogram. Not bad for a guy who once dreamed up TV networks that could only afford one hour of airtime a week.