Mike Diamond, better known as Mike D, grew up amidst the chaos and energy of a New York in crisis. As a child, he stole singles by The Jackson 5, The Beatles, and Motown artists from his older brothers' collection before starting to drum. He soon discovered punk rock, then rap via a mixtape, and later reggae thanks to bands like The Clash and The Slits. Each genre had a major influence on his musical development.
In the early 1980s, he founded the Beastie Boys together with Adam Yauch (MCA) and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock). The group combined influences from hardcore, hip hop, and reggae and grew into one of the most influential and innovative acts in modern music. The Beastie Boys won multiple Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
Now, the co-founder of the Beastie Boys is releasing his debut solo album, 'Thank You'. The album is his first solo project since the last Beastie Boys album, 'Hot Sauce Committee Part 2' (2011).
