“[2pac] was so determined to be authentic, it ultimately killed him.”
Michael Diamond, better known as Mike D, founding member of the legendary Hip Hop group Beastie Boys, recently sat down with Vanity Fair for their ‘In Conversation’ web series.
While discussing the notoriously fatal Biggie & Tupac feud, Mike provides an interesting take on ‘Pac – as a classically trained performance artist, who’s search for authenticity ultimately lead to his untimely demise. Mike also shares some emphatic recollections of the fued’s impact on Hip Hop; particularly the Los Angeles scene, which at the time was ripe with emerging talent like Cypress Hill & The Pharcyde. Mickael goes on to wax poetic about the 90’s & how the decade’s music culture affected everything from late night to legislation.
Loyal Beastie fans have no fear, Vanity Fair didn’t drop the ball with this rare sit-down – Mike D reveals some raucous details about the filming of Beastie Boys’ classic Sabotage video with Spike Jonze & how fans initially responded to their now double platinum second album, Paul’s Boutique, back in ’89 when it was widely regarded as a commercial flop.
In other news, the daringly experimental Paul’s Boutique just celebrated it’s 25th anniversary last Friday with a dope mural on the same LES block Beastie Boys immortalized on the album’s cover. RIP Nathanial Hörnblowér
Part One: Mike D recollects the infamous Biggie vs. Tupac feud from his perspective as a New York emcee.
Part Two: Mr. Diamond reflects on the 1990s & the decade’s effect on hip hop, late night, rock music, magazines and weed culture.
Part Three: Mike describes working with Beastie’s bestie Spike Jonze, on their classic ‘Sabotage‘ video; a conceptual homage to 70’s crime dramas. He also recounts fan reception to the 70’s aesthetic found throughout their genre-bending second album, ‘Paul’s Boutique’
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