Mike D

For other people named Michael Diamond, see Michael Diamond (disambiguation).
Mike D

Mike D in 2007.
Background information
Birth name Michael Diamond
Also known as Mike D, Country Mike, The King of Lunch, Meshach, Mike Dino, Larry, Clarence
Born (1965-11-20) November 20, 1965
Origin New York City, United States
Genres Hip hop, rap rock, hardcore punk, alternative hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, musician, songwriter, drummer
Instruments Rapping, vocals, drums, percussion, keyboards
Years active 1979–present
Labels Def Jam, Grand Royal, Capitol
Associated acts Beastie Boys, The Latch Brothers, The Young Aborigines
Website beastieboys.com

Michael Diamond, better known as Mike D (born November 20, 1965[1]), is a founding member of New York City hip hop group the Beastie Boys. Mike D raps, sings, and plays drums.[2]

Biography

Diamond was born in New York City to a Jewish household.[2] He attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York for six months.[3] In 1979, Diamond co-founded the band The Young Anborigines. In 1981, Adam Yauch, aka MCA, a friend and follower of the band, became their bass player, and on the suggestion of their then-guitar player, John Berry, the band changed their name to the Beastie Boys.[4] By 1983, Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock) joined, and their sound began to shift away from punk to hip hop.[5]

In 1992, Mike D founded the Beastie Boys' now-defunct record label Grand Royal Records. He is also interested in interior decoration, and designed Brooklyn-themed toile wallpaper; it was used in the renovation of the Marquee nightclub in Chelsea, which reopened in January 2013.[6][7]

A year after the passing of Yauch in 2012, Mike D told Rolling Stone he was "excited about making new stuff again" and released "Humberto Vs the New Reactionaries (Christine and the Queens Remix)" in July 2013.[8] A remix of Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band's "Bad Dancer" by Mike D and Adam Horovitz was streamed online in August 2013. The pair is credited with “additional beats, programming and other curve balls.”[9] In October 2014, Mike D stated that he had been working in the studio with American rock band Portugal. The Man as a producer.[10]

Personal life

In 1993, Mike D married film, television and music video director Tamra Davis; they have two children, Davis Diamond and Skyler Diamond.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Beastie Boys Biography". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  2. 1 2 "Beastie Boys MTV Bio". MTV. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  3. ↑ "Inside Vassar's campus music scene". The Miscellany News. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  4. ↑ "More Rhymes Than Grey Hairs". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  5. ↑ "Beastie Boys Biography". Xfm London. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  6. ↑ Mulcahy, James (January 17, 2013). "Marquee Unveils Complete Remodel on Ten-Year Anniversary". Zagat. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  7. ↑ Zara, Janelle (January 17, 2013). "Beastie Boy Mike D's Designs Embellish Marquee's Bathroom Walls". Artinfo. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  8. ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beastie-boys-mike-d-im-excited-about-making-new-stuff-again-20130715
  9. ↑ http://thefutureheart.com/2013/08/05/plastic-ono-collabs/
  10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfp3cgvC5bo
  11. ↑ "Tamra Davis". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2011-05-24.

External links

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