So the cover’s a win, right? Fresh off a strong performance at

So the cover’s a win, right? Fresh off a strong performance at Red Bull EmSee Seattle, the city’s favorite battle rapper, Mic Phenom, has decided at last to test the waters of semi-formally released material, and posted 14 tracks on his Bandcamp site under the name What I’ve Been Doing.In WIBD, Phenom has created an introductory piece to lead his battle fans in a slightly different direction, and hopefully to begin to carve a little niche for himself in the local rap conversation. This is a daunting task. His punch-line style translates well on a few tracks, but when he forgoes his natural goofiness in favor of more club-style bars, his rhymes come off a bit forced. The production is also spotty, but these are things that are expected from an artist who’s used to spitting a cappella in a live setting.The important thing here is that he’s taken strides to cross over, and brought a few keepers along with him: “The Hard Way” featuring Grynch and Lux the Pilot is a hit, especially when Phenom comes with raps like “I’m number one, runnin’, gunnin’ for the pole position/Colder than the last planet in the solar system”; “Point to Prove” and “Where Are We Going” are worth a listen; and although “Suicide Note” isn’t as eerily beautiful as Fatal Lucciauno’s track by the same name, it works as a dark confessional and a peek into the artist’s mind.Check it out here:Mic Phenom: What I’ve Been Doing.Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.