The Band
Beastie Boys were an American hip hop/rap rock band formed in 1981. They disbanded in 2012, when Yauch, one of their three members, died.
They started as a punk band, playing instruments too. Then they derived to hip-hop and mixed it with rock. Before Public Enemy, Run DMC, or Rage Against The Machine, were these guys, the originals, the OG’s, so much so that they are even in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Beastie Boys transformed into a legendary band in the hip-hop realm. A band composed of white Jewish guys broke the color barrier, super creative, making great music, with great lyrics and videos that show their fun sense of humor.
I started listening to them when they released their album, Ill Communication, on May 31, 1994 (I still have this cassette). Their videos like Sabotage and Sure Shot were on heavy rotation at MTV, so I got hooked. I liked that they made music without barriers, mixing hip-hop, rock, and punk and that their videos were entertaining.
This band marked my teenage years before the world of heavy metal fell over me. I think the Beastie Boys opened my mind to different music styles. I still listen to them occasionally and enjoy their music with a nostalgic feeling.
Band Members
- Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz – vocals, guitar
- Adam “MCA” Yauch – vocals, bass
- Michael “Mike D” Diamond – vocals, drums
My Favorite Songs
1. Fight For Your Right (from the album Licensed to Ill, November 15, 1986).
This party anthem attracted people in the rock community to their music.
2. So What’cha Want (from the album Check Your Head, April 21, 1992).
Raw and groovy beat, with a psychedelic video.
3. Sabotage (from the album ll Communication, May 31, 1994).
Scratching turntables, heavy distortion, great riffs, and a super catchy song, from the beginning.
The video, directed by Spike Jonze, is a parody of the 70s cops TV shows like Starsky and Hutch. It is almost like a mini-movie, telling the fictional story of a producer sabotaging them.
4. Sure Shot (from the album Ill Communication, May 31, 1994).
From the flute sample in a loop to MCA’s paragraph asking for respect for women, I just love it.
5. No Sleep Till Brooklyn (from the album Licensed to Ill, November 15, 1986)
The video is a parody of the 80’s glam rock bands. It refers to the tiresome tours and the no rest until they reach their homes. The title is a reference to the Motörhead album No Sleep ’til Hammersmith.
Simple but catchy riff. Slayer’s guitarist Kerry King played guitar here.