Mike D
| Michael Diamond | |
|---|---|
 Diamond in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Diamond |
| Also known as | Mike D, Country Mike, The King of Lunch, Meshach |
| Born | 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, fashion designer |
| 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 |
Michael Diamond (born November 20, 1965[1]), better known as Mike D, is an American rapper, musician and producer, best known as the founding member of New York City hip hop group the Beastie Boys. Diamond raps, sings, and plays drums.[2] He has provided remixes for Moby and Bjork.
Biography
A product of the arts-oriented Saint Ann's School, Diamond was born in New York City to a Jewish household.[2] In 1979, Diamond co-founded the band The Young Aborigines. 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.[3] By 1983, Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock) joined, and their sound began to shift away from punk to hip hop.[4]
In 1992, Diamond 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.[5][6]
A year after the passing of Yauch in 2012, Diamond 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.[7] A remix of Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band's "Bad Dancer" by Diamond and Adam Horovitz was streamed online in August 2013. The pair is credited with "additional beats, programming and other curve balls".[8] In October 2014, Diamond stated that he had been working in the studio with American rock band Portugal. The Man as a producer.[9] He has also produced English punk outfit Slaves' second studio album, Take Control, which was released on September 30, 2016.[10]
Personal life
In 1993, Diamond married film, television and music video director Tamra Davis; they have two children, Davis Diamond and Skyler Diamond.[11]
References
- ↑ "Beastie Boys Biography". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
- 1 2 "Beastie Boys MTV Bio". MTV. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
- ↑ "More Rhymes Than Grey Hairs". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
- ↑ "Beastie Boys Biography". Xfm London. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
- ↑ Mulcahy, James (January 17, 2013). "Marquee Unveils Complete Remodel on Ten-Year Anniversary". Zagat. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ↑ Zara, Janelle (January 17, 2013). "Beastie Boy Mike D's Designs Embellish Marquee's Bathroom Walls". Artinfo. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beastie-boys-mike-d-im-excited-about-making-new-stuff-again-20130715
- ↑ http://thefutureheart.com/2013/08/05/plastic-ono-collabs/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfp3cgvC5bo
- ↑ "Slaves announce full details of Beastie Boys produced new album Take Control". HMV. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ↑ "Tamra Davis". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2011-05-24.