| Mike D | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Diamond |
| Also known as | Mike D, Country Mike, The King of Lunch |
| Born | November 20, 1965 |
| Origin | New York, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop, rap rock, hardcore punk, alternative hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper, musician, songwriter, drummer |
| Instruments | Rapping, vocals, drums, percussion, keyboards |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Def Jam Records Grand Royal Records Capitol Records |
| Associated acts | The Latch Brothers |
| Website | www.beastieboys.com |
Michael Diamond, better known as Mike D (born November 20, 1965[1]), is a founding member of New York hip hop group the Beastie Boys. Mike D raps, sings, and plays drums alongside fellow members Ad-Rock, MCA and Mix Master Mike.[2]
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Mike D was born in New York City, New York. Mike was raised in an upper-middleclass Jewish household.[2] He attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York for six months.[3]
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 from 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 to form the lasting Beastie Boys trio, 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.
In 1993, Mike married film, television and music video director Tamra Davis. They have two boys, Skyler and Davis.[6] He has two brothers, Stephen and David.