Michael Diamond

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Michael Diamond

Background information
Birth name Michael Louis Diamond
Also known as Mike D
Born November 20, 1965 (1965-11-20) (age 42)
Origin New York, New York, U.S.
Genre(s) Hip-hop
Rapcore
Hardcore punk
Alternative rock
Occupation(s) Rapper, Musician, Songwriter, Drummer
Instrument(s) Rapping, vocals, drums, percussion
Years active 1979–Present
Label(s) Def Jam Records
Grand Royal Records
Capitol Records
Associated acts Beastie Boys
Website www.beastieboys.com

Michael L. Diamond, also known as Mike D (born November 20, 1965), is a founding member of New York hip hop trio the Beastie Boys. Mike D raps, sings, and plays drums alongside fellow members Adrock, MCA, Money Mark and Mix Master Mike.

[edit] Biography

Mike D was born in the New York City borough of Manhattan. He attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York for six months. It is rumored that he was expelled after throwing a beer keg from the ninth floor of a residence hall. In 1979, he 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 Barry, the band changed their name to the Beastie Boys. 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. In 1992, Mike D founded the Beastie Boys now-defunct record label Grand Royal Records. Mike D is married to Director Tamra Davis. They have two sons, Davis and Skylar. His favorite color is purple.

[edit] Quotes

"Seven hundred bucks, but he asked for two thousand dollars. I thought it was kind of fly that he asked for $2000.00, and I bartered Bob Dylan down. That's my proudest sampling deal."[1]

"He goes, 'I'd love to do it for you guys, but it's 'Back In Black' - one of the top three songs we've ever written!' Whatever. AC/DC could not get with the sample concept. They were just like, 'Nothing against you guys, but we just don't endorse sampling.'"[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ BeastieMania.com - Song Spotlight: Finger Lickin' Good. Retrieved on 2007-02-14. This site has cited Boston Rock, June 1992, Issue 123 as the original source.
  2. ^ AC/DC nix Beastie Boys sample”, New Musical Express, November 11 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=6f471f5aec7e261d172a5638a61fbc65&_docnum=6&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVb&_md5=86bc428d168a8661fe43ecd9d9c0ac3b>. Retrieved on 15 February 2007