Mike D Unveils First Solo Album “Thank You” – First New Beastie Boys Music Since 2012

Michael Diamond, known as Mike D, will issue his debut solo studio album “Thank You” on Aug. 28, 2026 under the moniker Mike D 5D. The 13-track record is the first full-length collection of new music from a Beastie Boys member since the group’s 2011 album *Hot Sauce Committee Part Two*. Pre-release singles include “What We Got,” “Switch Up,” and “True Colors.”

Mike D Announces First Solo Album ‘Thank You’ Set for August Release

The Beastie Boys’ three-decade run ended abruptly in 2012 when member Adam “MCA” Yauch died of cancer at age 47. In the years that followed, Diamond, now 60, struggled with grief that stalled his own creative output. He spent much of the decade producing for other artists and caring for his family until his sons, Skyler and Davis Diamond—members of the band Very Nice Person—helped rekindle his motivation. Recording sessions began in Diamond’s Malibu home studio, later expanding to include collaborators such as Carter Lang, Jared Solomon, Ging, Jason Lader, Eddie Ruscha, and producer Tyran Donaldson.

New York Times

Diamond described the project as a collaborative joy, emphasizing a desire to bring light to a “very strange and dark… world that devalues art and feelings and compassion and empathy and equality.” Bandmate Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz was asked why he had not released his own material; he replied, “Good question.” Producer Tyran Donaldson noted the nostalgic feel of the sessions, calling the vintage E-mu SP-1200 sampler a “time machine” that occasionally produced unexpected Beastie Boys drum breaks.

Rolling Stone

• “the easiest way to not feel that was to shut the computer down and walk away from it. It was too much for me to process to stay focused and creative.” — Michael Diamond, Mike D

New York Times

• “They’d be trying to find a sound, and you’d randomly hear a drum break that was on a Beastie Boys song.” — Tyran Donaldson, Producer

Rolling Stone

• “Good question.” — Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, Beastie Boys bandmate

Rolling Stone

• “It's been so much fun making this music with people I love and I have grown to appreciate in our collaboration,” — Michael Diamond, Mike D

Mike D Announces First Solo Album ‘Thank You’ Set for August Release

• “And I just hope it's fun for others and not overly serious, because let's be real, I'm releasing this music into a very strange and dark and power-fixated world that devalues art and feelings and compassion and empathy and equality.” — Michael Diamond, Mike D

Mike D Announces First Solo Album ‘Thank You’ Set for August Release

Mike D 5D will embark on a summer tour across the United States and Europe, blending new tracks from “Thank You” with classic Beastie Boys material, offering audiences a preview of the album’s experimental, psychedelic leanings.

Rolling Stone