Michael “Mike D” Diamond, a member of The Beastie Boys, is set to embark on a tour in Canada. This tour marks the first solo tour by a member of the renowned New York rap trio since the passing of Adam “MCA” Yauch in 2012.
The tour, titled Mike D 5D, will commence with a sold-out performance in Boston on August 30, just two days after the launch of his debut solo album, “Thank You.” The Canadian leg of the tour will begin in Vancouver at the Vogue Theatre on September 30, and it will conclude in Toronto on October 20. Following the North American shows, Diamond will travel overseas for performances in various European countries including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium.
Notably, Diamond’s touring band, 5D, includes his sons, Skyler and Davis Diamond, who are known for their work in the dance-pop duo Very Nice Person.
The Beastie Boys made history in 1986 when their debut album, “Licensed to Ill,” became the first rap album to reach the top of the Billboard 200 chart. The album produced popular hits like “Fight For Your Right” and “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.” The group continued to thrive with tracks such as “Sabotage” and “Intergalactic,” as well as their acclaimed second album, “Paul’s Boutique,” solidifying their reputation as pioneers in the art of sampling.
In 2012, the trio was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, shortly before Yauch’s passing due to parotid cancer. In 2018, Diamond and surviving member Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz published the memoir “Beastie Boys Book,” followed by the release of a documentary directed by Spike Jonze, titled “Beastie Boys Story,” in April 2020.