A Documentary Film

Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys were an American hip-hop group from New York City formed in 1981. The group consisted of Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz. They are considered one of the most influential hip-hop acts of all time,...

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The Film

Chapters

Origins

The Beginning

The Beastie Boys were an American hip-hop group from New York City formed in 1981. The group consisted of Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "MCA" Yauch, and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz.

The Rise

Building a Legacy

Beastie Boys: Career Trajectory and Milestones Licensed to Ill (1986) First rap album to top Billboard 200 "Fight for Your Right," "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" Paul's Boutique (1989) Initial commercial disappointment Check Your Head (1992) "So What'cha Want" Ill Communication...

The Work

Defining Moments

Beastie Boys brought hip-hop to mainstream white audiences while maintaining credibility and artistic evolution.

The Peak

Greatest Achievements

Beastie Boys are hip-hop legends who evolved from party rappers to respected artists, earning recognition across multiple genres.

The Legacy

Lasting Impact

Beastie Boys matured from party boys to socially conscious activists, with MCA's transformation embodying their growth.

In Their Words

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Horovitz. They are considered one of the most influential hip-hop acts of all time, transitioning from punk rock roots to become pioneers of rap rock and alternative hip-hop. ## Formation and Punk Roots The Beastie Boys formed as a hardcore punk band, releasing the EP

— Overview

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in 1982. As they discovered hip-hop, their sound evolved dramatically. ## Licensed to Ill (1986) Their debut album was the first rap album to top the Billboard 200: -

— Overview

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- Rock-rap anthem -

— Overview

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The album sold over 10 million copies. ## Paul's Boutique (1989) Moving to Capitol Records, they created a sampling masterpiece with the Dust Brothers. Now considered one of hip-hop's greatest albums. ## Later Career -

— Overview

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(1994) - Playing their own instruments -

— Overview

The Work

Innovations

Year	Title	Role/Impact	Type
1986	Licensed to Ill	Recording	Album
1989	Paul's Boutique	Recording	Album
1981	Introduction	Recording	Album
1982	Formation and Punk Roots	Recording	Album
1992	Paul's Boutique (1989)	Recording	Album
1992	Later Career	Recording	Album