Join Mike D, a founding member of the legendary Beastie Boys, as he shares his journey from music stardom to mindfulness. He discusses the role of failure in achieving success and how risks can ignite creativity. Listen in as Mike reflects on his late bandmate Adam Yauch's Buddhist influence, the exhilarating rush of performing, and the healing power of meditation. Their insightful conversation offers a unique blend of nostalgia, personal growth, and the transformative effects of loving-kindness amid life's challenges.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Worcester Centrum Shows
Mike D recalls early Beastie Boys shows at the Worcester Centrum, noting the wild energy of the crowd.
They had to create new security measures to ensure fan safety while still allowing them to enjoy the show.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Success and its Downside
Mike D describes the band's early success as "nirvonic," enjoying free access to NYC clubs and a microcosmic celebrity status.
The release of "Licensed to Ill" brought financial success and external pressures that changed the band's dynamic.
insights INSIGHT
Reclaiming Creative Control
The band felt pressured by Def Jam to maintain their "frat boy" persona, which led to a falling out.
They realized they wanted creative control and to make music they loved, not just be a "circus act."
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This book tells the story of the Beastie Boys, starting from their formation as a New York City hardcore band in the late 1970s. It chronicles their transition from teenage punks to hip-hop stars, including their early collaborations with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, the success of their debut album 'Licensed to Ill,' and their subsequent evolution as musicians and social activists. The book features rare photos, personal anecdotes, exclusive interviews, and contributions from various guest authors, including a mini cookbook by Roy Choi and a musical tour of New York City streets by Luc Sante. It is a must-read for fans of the Beastie Boys and anyone interested in the early days of hip-hop and the band's significant influence on popular culture.
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Today’s show features one of Dan’s personal musical heroes, Mike Diamond — “Mike D” from the Beastie Boys. Their conversation is wide ranging and covers topics from the role of failure in achieving success to Mike’s personal meditation practice. They say, “never meet your heroes”, but Mike D doesn’t disappoint in this smart and thoughtful discussion.
Mike D formed the Beastie Boys with Adam Yauch, aka MCA, in the early 80’s, winning a number of Grammys and spanning a multi-decade career. In 2018, along with his bandmate, Adam Horovitz, Diamond co-authored Beastie Boys Book, which told the story of the band in its own words and reached #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list. A limited series of live shows, in which the two brought stories from the book to life, was captured in the 2020 film Beastie Boys Story.
Content Warning: The content is a little mature at points so take care if you’re listening with kids.
In this episode we talk about:
How Mike reconciles the misogyny of the Beasties early work
The evolution of the band — and how they freed themselves from feeling imprisoned by their own personas
The role of failure in achieving success
The value of taking risks in creative endeavors
Watching his late bandmate, Adam Yauch, find Buddhism, and how that impacted their music
The addictive nature of adrenaline when performing
The role meditation and yoga played for Mike as he tried to calibrate the highs and lows while on tour — and how these practices also now play a role in parenting his two kids
How he works through self-judgment while meditating
How he and the other surviving bandmate, Adam Horovitz, managed their grief in the wake of the untimely death of Adam Yauch
And how a Beastie Boy came to embrace, of all things, loving-kindness
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
