Mike D is bringing his latest project, Mike D 5D, on the road in support of his upcoming album, Thank You (out August 28th), and will be playing a show at Knockdown Center in Queens on September 9th. 

Born in NYC in 1965, Mike D (Michael Diamond) was a founding member of the legendary punk/hip-hop group, Beastie Boys. Diamond took over as the group’s drummer in 1984 as the group was transitioning from hardcore punk to hip-hop. On their debut album, License to Ill (released in 1986 by Def Jam Records and produced by a young Rick Rubin), Diamond brought the songs to life by seamlessly blending active live drums with drum machines, helping to create their signature anarchic hip-hop sound. The album skyrocketed the band to stardom and broke boundaries becoming the first rap album to top the Billboard 200 chart and bringing hip-hop to a wider mainstream audience. It would eventually go on to achieve Diamond status, securing its spot as the top-selling rap album of the 1980s.

About a year after Beastie Boys split in 2012 due to bassist Adam Yauch (stage name MCA)’s untimely death to cancer, Diamond began making music again, releasing remixes of songs by Christine and the Queens (Rahim Claude Redcar), Yoko Ono, and more. Having played a role in the production work for Beastie Boys, Diamond continued producing for artists including Portugal. The Man and SOFT PLAY. He recently announced his debut album, Thank You, under his new project Mike D 5D and has released the singles “Switch Up,” “What We Got,” and “True Colors.” The group’s unique mix of psychedelic rock, punk, funk, rap, and post-electronica is achieved by drum machines, synthesizers, and electric guitars and the lineup consists of his two sons Skyler and Davis (of indie dance-pop band Very Nice Person), brothers Milo and Eddie Ruscha, and Will Graefe. 

Don’t miss Mike D 5D at Knockdown Center on September 9th. Tickets are available now at dice.fm. 

Location: Knockdown Center

Address: 52-19 Flushing Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378

Show Time: 7 p.m.

Doors Open: 6 p.m. 

Ticket Price: $46.41

Ages: 18+