S8 EP6: Mike D discusses breaking rap into the mainstream, the infamous hydraulic penis, and disbanding the Beastie Boys

The Louis Theroux Podcast

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Tuesday, 14 July 2026 - 1 hour 17 minutes

Louis sits down with Grammy award-winning rapper, producer and former Beastie Boy Mike D. Speaking ahead of the release of his first solo album, Thank You, Mike tells Louis about breaking rap into the mainstream, the mechanics behind the Beastie Boys’ 20 foot hydraulic penis, and breaking up the band after Adam Yauch’s death. 

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.  

Links/Attachments: 

Song: Rapture, Blondie (1980) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/1hQr0D1ZXbGHFcWLhusijv  

Book: Everybody’s Fly, Fat Five Freddy with Mark Rozzo (2026) 

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775871/everybodys-fly-by-fab-5-freddy-with-mark-rozzo/  

Song: Cooky Puss, Beastie Boys (1983) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/7DZSImZVNfImxqehwNtPuB  

Song: Rapper’s Delight, Sugarhill Gang (1979) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/7sZDbHZiuHEzS00vzCuhqS  

Song: Good Times, Chic (1979) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/0PQFPcSK1gnBGlbV4CZCG0  

Song: The Message, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (1982) 

https://open.spotify.com/album/4dEczweFPXeLMMVD1zIdi7  

Song: Sucker M.C.’s, Run-D.M.C. (1983) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/3hx5R8nOKu5zvhlfDNSIQC  

Album: Licensed to Ill, Beastie Boys (1986) 

https://open.spotify.com/album/11oR0ZuqB3ucZwb5TGbZxb  

Radio Show: The Goon Show (1951-1960) - BBC  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0072vdz  

Film: National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077975/  

Film: Caddyshack (1980) 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080487/  

Album: Paul’s Boutique, Beastie Boys (1989) 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1kmyirVya5fRxdjsPFDM05  

Song: Shadrach, Beastie Boys (1989) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/1vIJBVsuMouxSuDxRtTaYI  

Album: Hello Nasty, Beastie Boys (1998) 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1HhBu55aklCwIus7KffIji  

Song: Intergalactic, Beastie Boys (1998) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/5fpizYGbi5IQoEraj6FP0R  

Song: What We Got, Mike D (2026) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/3UeGo2iTVN98fWW96iRL5p  

Song: Switch Up, Mike D (2026) 

https://open.spotify.com/track/1FHSvpvNWmJcpDcmsxrtbH  

Credits: 

Producer: Millie Chu  

Assistant Producer: Beth Johnstone 

Audio Mixer: Tom Guest 

Video Mixer: Scott Edwards 

Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  

Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows  

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify  

www.mindhouse.co.uk  

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