Written by Produced by Carter Lang and Very Nice Person, the single captures a loose, collaborative spirit rooted in home studio experimentation.
By Scott Bernstein May 8, 2026 • 7:47 am PDT
Mike D promised new music when he announced a run of initimate pop-up shows earlier this week. Fans around the world and at the opening show didn’t have to wait long as the Beastie Boys co-founder unveiled his debut solo single “Switch Up” late last night after performing the song live.
The track marks the first new music by any member of Beastie Boys since the trio’s Hot Sauce Committee Part Two album arrived in 2011. Mike D was joined in the legendary hip-hop group by Adam “MCA” Yauch and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz. Yauch died in 2012 bringing an end to Beastie Boys.
“Switch Up” dropped while Mike D was performing on Thursday night at an instantly sold-out performance at Plaza Nightclub in Los Angeles. The track finds Mike D bring new sounds into his sonic palette.
Mike D’s return to the spotlight had its origins in sessions held at his home studio with sons Davis and Skyler Diamond and their band Very Nice Person. “Switch Up” was born from these sessions, which eventually were expanded to additional locations with other collaborators brought in.
Produced by Carter Lang and Very Nice Person and mixed by Derek “MixedByAli Ali, “Switch Up” was accompanied by artwork designed by Thad Higa. Check out Mike D’s “Switch Up” visualizer below:
Watch footage of Mike D debuting “Switch Up” live in L.A. last night:
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