The underground hip-hop scene thrives on rawness—music that feels dangerous, unpolished, and unapologetically real. That’s exactly what MAD Mike delivers with his new solo project, Root of All Evil.
Best known as one-half of Dual Diagnosis, Mike has built his reputation on heavy bars and uncompromising authenticity. But with Root of All Evil, released through Lost Soul Productions, he’s taken things further—darker, heavier, and more personal than ever before.
Collaboration with Intention
On the surface, the album is stacked with underground heavyweights: NEMS, Lex the Hex Master, Mr. Hyde, Termanology, and Roc. But these aren’t just random guest spots. Each feature was hand-picked and placed with purpose.
“All of these artists are in a similar realm of underground hip-hop. Each of their unique styles painted a clear picture of what the album is about,” Mike explains.
The result is a record that feels unified. NEMS brings raw grit, Lex the Hex Master adds a sharp horror-core edge, Mr. Hyde taps into pure savagery, while Termanology and Roc add lyrical weight. Every verse fits the mood, rather than pulling focus.
The Sound: Metal Meets Hip-Hop
The heartbeat of the project comes from C-Lance, MAD Mike’s long-time collaborator. Known for his dark, metal-inspired production, C-Lance’s beats hit like a sledgehammer—perfect for Mike’s guttural, aggressive delivery.
“Over the years, he locked in my style by producing custom beats with a hard-hitting metal-like edge,” Mike says.
Once the beats were in place, Albert Charlemagne at Brooklyn Dragon’s Lair stepped in to mix and master the project, sharpening its edges without stripping away the rawness. “Albert’s ability to read my style added nuance to the overall mood of the record. I trust Albert and his vision. I wish I met him sooner,” Mike admits.
Together, the trio created a soundscape that’s both suffocating and cathartic.
Wrestling with the Root
Where MAD Mike’s earlier Nature of the Beast explored fighting demons, Root of All Evil is about purging them. The album tackles themes of family trauma, toxic relationships, and cycles of inner conflict—all framed through the lens of the seven deadly sins.
“My struggle is personal, but through this album, I make my struggle a communal testament to share strength and show support,” Mike reflects.
Philosophical threads run through the verses, blurring the line between pain and poetry. Horror-core has often been dismissed as shock rap, but here it’s used as a survival tool—Mike screaming his way through vulnerability rather than hiding from it.
“I rap about what I feel… I don’t talk about the experiences itself—that’s personal. But how I express vulnerability is through my delivery. That is healing for me.”
What Comes Next
Despite the heaviness of Root of All Evil, MAD Mike is already looking ahead. He’s teasing a follow-up that blends the introspection of Nature of the Beast with the chaos of Root of All Evil—this time with a sharper rock influence.
“The next album will almost be like a cool mixture of Nature of the Beast with Root of All Evil… edgier, more rock elements, more evolution.”
Meanwhile, Dual Diagnosis is also preparing new material, continuing to push boundaries around mental health, generational trauma, and survival—core themes that have defined their artistry.
Final Thoughts
Root of All Evil isn’t just another underground rap album—it’s a statement. MAD Mike has taken everything that defines him—pain, intensity, and raw vulnerability—and channeled it into his darkest, most unified project yet. Backed by C-Lance’s ferocious production and Albert Charlemagne’s precision engineering, it’s a record that’s both brutal and healing.
For fans of underground rap, horror-core, or simply unfiltered self-expression, Root of All Evil isn’t just worth hearing—it’s essential.
Tracklist – Root of All Evil (2025)
1. Intro
2. Blasphemy (feat. Lex the Hex Master)
3. Shed Blood (feat. Mr. Hyde)
4. You Can Get It (feat. NEMS | prod. The Arcitype)
5. Blood Squirt Fever (feat. Roc)
6. Cuttin’ Da Chain (feat. Termanology)
7. Outro
Produced by: C-Lance
Mixed/Mastered by: Albert Charlemagne @ Brooklyn Dragon’s Lair
Label: Lost Soul Productions
