Matt Dike

Matthew William Dike (December 2, 1961 – January 16, 2018) was an American music executive, record producer, and DJ. He co-founded the hip-hop record label Delicious Vinyl in 1987. In the 1980s, Dike was artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's studio assistant and he worked on the Beastie Boys album Paul's Boutique. He co-wrote and produced the song "Bust A Move" (1989) by Young MC, and co-produced "Smart Girls" (1991) by Brian Wilson.

Life and career Matt Dike was born on December 2, 1961, in Suffern, New York, to Tanya Kulikoff, a homemaker, and Constant Dike, a general contractor. After graduating from high school, Dike spent a year in London before relocating to Belmont Shores, California.

Dike was Jean-Michel Basquiat's studio assistant for four years during Basquiat's intermittent residencies in Los Angeles. He first met Basquiat while DJing at a party at New York University in 1978. When art dealer Larry Gagosian invited Basquiat to live and work at his Venice residence to prepare for his 1983 exhibition, he suggested that Dike and Davis spend time with Basquiat. Dike took Basquiat and his companions Rammellzee and Toxic to Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard. The Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers were among the acts that performed at Power Tools before the club closed in 1987. In 1988, The A&R director/Promo Orlando Aguillen discovered the Dust Bros at a local college radio station, Claremont Ca. Once Orlando Aguillen introduced the Dust Bros. and Matt Dike, the Beastie Boys began recording their album Paul's Boutique (1989) at Dike's home studio. In 1989, Delicious Vinyl released the rap singles "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina" by Tone-Loc, and "Bust A Move" by Young MC, which would all reach the top ten on Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following the success of the label, Dike became increasingly reclusive. In his petition, Ross alleged that in 1992, Dike "began to abdicate responsibility and management" of the label. Ross claimed that despite demanding for Dike to resume his responsibilities, he failed to attend board meetings and missed other critical meetings pertaining to the label's business.

Death On January 16, 2018, Dike died of complications of salivary gland cancer at his home in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. He is survived by his brother Lane and sister Vikyana Dike.