The name is D, y'all! And he don't play! And he can rock a block party till your hair turns grey! Or until his hair turns grey! Until everybody's hair turns grey and we're all just collectively staring down old-age-oblivion! He explodes on site, he's like Jimmie Walker, he's dy-no-mite, etc. A few weeks ago, Mike D went viral by jumping onstage with Very Nice Person, his sons Skyler and Davis Diamond's band, and rapping Beastie Boys classics. Now, Mike has passed himself the mic, releasing his first-ever solo single.
Mike D's new song is the first song from any Beastie Boys member since the group released their final album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two in 2011, at least outside of stuff like remixes. A few days ago, Mike announced a short tour of unconventional venues, and he was actually onstage at LA's Plaza Night Club & Dance Hall when his new song "Switch Up" came out. The track started out as Mike jamming with his sons, and it developed into something else. Ultimately, Very Nice Person share production credit with SZA/Justin Bieber collaborator Carter Lang.
"Switch Up" really does have some of the same spirit as late-period Beastie Boys. It's got a funky, breakbeat-driven instrumental that toys around with late-'90s drum 'n' bass. It changes a bunch of times while Mike essentially serves as hypeman, rapping but not really rapping, his forever-familiar voice riding the changes while the rock guitars and squiggly keyboards come in and drop out. He sounds energized, and it's good to hear him again. Listen below.
"Switch Up" is out now on UMG.
