Beastie Boys

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Beastie Boys began in 1981 in New York as a hardcore punk band. In the end the group consisted of three white boys from the city: Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock), Adam Yauch (MCA) and Michael Diamond (Mike D). They played in punk clubs such as CBGB and Max's Kansas City. In 1983 they made a hip hop song as a joke, Cooky Puss, based on a prank phone call. It became a success in the New York clubs, and after that they switched entirely to hip hop.

Music and breakthrough

Their DJ Rick Rubin started the label Def Jam with Russell Simmons and produced their debut. Licensed to Ill was released in 1986 and became the first rap album to reach number 1 in the American album chart. It mixed raps with heavy rock guitars and drums; the best-known hit was (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!). The second album, Paul's Boutique (1989), which they made with the Dust Brothers, consisted almost entirely of samples. It sold poorly at first, but was later regarded as a masterpiece. Check Your Head (1992), on which they were playing instruments themselves again, followed, then Ill Communication (1994) and Hello Nasty (1998).

Influence

The Beastie Boys showed that hip hop was not tied to a single group or neighbourhood, and built a bridge between punk, rock and rap. After the death of Adam Yauch in 2012 the group ceased to exist. That same year they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1986Licensed to Ill
• 1989Paul’s Boutique
• 1992Check Your Head
• 1994Ill Communication
• 1998Hello Nasty
• 2004To the 5 Boroughs
• 2007Mix-Up
• 2011Hot Sauce Committee, Part Two

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

• Mixtape 6: Fear of a Black Planet^NL Reader

See also

• Paul’s Boutique
• To the 5 Boroughs
• Mix-Up