The underground hip-hop world thrives on authenticity, and MAD Mike’s latest solo release, Root of All Evil, embodies that spirit completely. Dropping under Lost Soul Productions, the project delivers a heavy dose of raw lyricism, unflinching honesty, and dark, unrelenting production that makes it one of the most striking underground albums of the year.Featuring a roster of underground mainstays including NEMS, Lex the Hex Master, Mr. Hyde, Termanology, and Roc, the album doesn’t just lean on big names. Instead, each collaboration was carefully curated to match energy, tone, and purpose.Every feature feels organic, like a natural extension of the story Mike is telling, adding depth to the overall body of work.
At the heart of Root of All Evil lies the chemistry between MAD Mike and producer C-Lance, who provides a sonic backdrop drenched in dark atmospheres and metal-inspired grit. Their creative partnership, sharpened over multiple projects, has reached new heights here. With Albert Charlemagne’s mixing and mastering at Brooklyn Dragon’s Lair tying it all together, the result is a record that’s as sharp sonically as it is lyrically devastating.Thematically, the album pushes beyond MAD Mike’s earlier Nature of the Beast. Where that project explored demons within, this one confronts them head-on, using the framework of the seven deadly sins to reflect on cycles of trauma, broken family ties, and toxic relationships. It’s an album that doesn’t shy away from pain but instead transforms it into something cathartic and empowering.What makes MAD Mike stand apart in the horror-core lane is his ability to channel vulnerability through aggression. His guttural screams and fire-forged delivery aren’t gimmicks—they’re survival. The darkness in his music isn’t for shock value, but a way to turn suffering into strength and connection, echoing the legacy of artists like Tech N9ne and Ill Bill.With Root of All Evil now out, MAD Mike shows no signs of slowing down. More solo work is already on the horizon, promising an edgier, rock-infused direction, while new Dual Diagnosis music is also on the way. For fans of underground hip-hop that demands attention, Root of All Evil is more than just an album—it’s a declaration, a release, and a reminder that the underground is still alive with voices unafraid to bare it all.“This album is about breaking toxic cycles and turning pain into power,” says Mike.With steel-forged beats from C-Lance and the razor-sharp mix from Albert Charlemagne, Root of All Evil cements MAD Mike as one of the most unflinching voices in underground hip-hop.Tracklist Highlights:
- Blasphemy (feat. Lex the Hex Master)
- Shed Blood (feat. Mr. Hyde)
- You Can Get It (feat. NEMS | prod. The Arcitype)
- Blood Squirt Fever (feat. Roc)
- Cuttin’ Da Chain (feat. Termanology)
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Tracklist – Root of All Evil (2025)
- Intro
- Blasphemy (feat. Lex the Hex Master)
- Shed Blood (feat. Mr. Hyde)
- You Can Get It (feat. NEMS | prod. The Arcitype)
- Blood Squirt Fever (feat. Roc)
- Cuttin’ Da Chain (feat. Termanology)
- Outro
Produced by: C-Lance
Mixed/Mastered by: Albert Charlemagne @ Brooklyn Dragon’s Lair
