Open Mike Eagle, Eshu Tune, and Cavalier at Isola Brooklyn
On Friday, April 11, 2025, Isola Brooklyn booked their first rap show which featured a headlining performance by Open Mike Eagle of Los Angeles. He was joined on the bill by Cavalier and Eshu Tune (a.k.a. Hannibal Buress). Cavalier joked that he thought Eshu Tune was exotic like the R&B duo Zhané, but Mike informed him that it was Hannibal, and he admitted that it was on him to do research and he’ll do better.
The show was hosted by Lawrence “Binkey” Tolefree, who told jokes in between sets, engaged with the audience, and introduced each rapper to the stage. He also beatboxed for a bit, which impressed the headliner so much, that he brought Binkey back on stage to beatbox some more while he and Eshu Tune freestyled, which is how the show came to an end. During Mike’s set, he played songs across his catalog such as “Very Much Money” (done a capella), “I’ll Fight You,” “(How Could Anybody) Feel at Home,” and “Bucciarati.” He also had Queen Herawin of The Juggaknots join him to perform their song “Shame.”
The last time Open Mike Eagle headlined a venue at 361 Metropolitan Avenue was in September 2017 with Scallops Hotel and Sammus. My images from that show nearly eight years ago are available in a set via my Flickr account.