“For me, growing up in New York, it started with Elvis Costello and the Clash and then got into louder things like Bad Brains and Stimulators, because those were, like, the local bands. Then I started getting into bands from England like the Slits. I remember seeing Gang of Four at Irving Plaza; that was a really big show for me.”

American rapper, musician and music producer

Mike D, born Michael Louis Diamond, is an American rapper, musician, and music producer. He is a founding member of the hip-hop group Beastie Boys, and he has 89 quotes on the site. Diamond is best known for his role in shaping the sound and identity of Beastie Boys. In 2026, he began performing and releasing music solo with his new band, Mike D 5D.