Open Mike Eagle, Kenny Segal surprise fans with Doomed: collaborative album out now

Open Mike Eagle and producer Kenny Segal have completed their first full-length collaboration: the album Doomed! arrives August 14 on Billy Woods’ Backwoodz imprint. The pair released the opening single, “Unfinished Concrete Initials,” which features Hemlock Ernst (Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands) and signals a stark, textured direction for the record.

The project grew out of a long creative relationship: Segal moved from supplying a beat or two to constructing whole sonic worlds, and Open Mike says he approached each instrumental as its own environment to inhabit and narrate. The result is an album that leans into jagged, cinematic production and close-knit guest turns rather than radio-friendly hooks.

Why this matters now: the release joins a steady run of recent work from both artists and lands on a respected indie label known for adventurous hip-hop, making it one of the more anticipated underground releases of the late summer.

Quick facts

• Album: Doomed!
• Release date: August 14
• Label: Backwoodz
• Lead single: “Unfinished Concrete Initials” (feat. Hemlock Ernst)

Context and recent output

Open Mike Eagle has maintained a prolific streak, issuing new albums in consecutive years; his most recent full release arrived in July with Neighborhood Gods Unlimited. Segal, meanwhile, last appeared on a full-length in 2025, teaming with R.A.P. Ferreira for The Night Green Side of It. That momentum frames Doomed! as the next step in both artists’ evolving catalogs.

Compared with typical producer–MC pairings, this record was built as a joint statement rather than a collection of guest spots. The production favors atmospheric textures and abrupt turns, giving Open Mike space for dense, idiosyncratic verses and occasional collaborators who match the album’s off-kilter energy.

Featured collaborations and tone

The single with Hemlock Ernst is a notable cross-genre cameo; Samuel T. Herring’s vocal presence brings a different timbre to the project and underlines its willingness to blur indie-rock and alternative-rap boundaries. Other contributions, including a billed appearance by billy woods, suggest the album trades in mood and craftsmanship over mainstream accessibility.

Listeners can expect a record that rewards attention: the production shifts frequently, with beats that often feel uneasy or deliberately fractured. Vocally, Open Mike leans into narrative sketches and offbeat imagery rather than straightforward confessionals.

For fans tracking contemporary underground rap, Doomed! is notable for bringing together two trusted collaborators at a moment when both are moving steadily rather than chasing mainstream visibility. The Backwoodz release path also positions the album for critical attention in circles that value experimental lyricism and unconventional production.

“Unfinished Concrete Initials” is available now; the full album follows on August 14. Expect a release that privileges atmosphere, collaboration, and a distinctive producer–MC chemistry over easy hooks or chart ambitions.

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Atlas Reid

Hello, I’m Atlas. I explore the latest musical releases for you and guide you to your next sonic favorites.