Beastie Boys

Beastie Boys were an influential American hip hop and rap rock group from New York City, formed in 1981. Originally beginning as a punk band, the lineup solidified with Adam Horovitz, Adam Yauch, and Michael Diamond. After an early breakthrough with the single Cooky Puss, they fully embraced hip hop and released their debut album Licensed to Ill in 1986, the first rap album to top the Billboard 200. Known for their innovative use of samples and genre-mixing, they released acclaimed albums like Paul's Boutique, Check Your Head, and Ill Communication. Over their career, the Beastie Boys sold over 20 million records in the US and earned seven platinum albums. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, their legacy includes a distinctive blend of humor, energy, and musical experimentation. The band disbanded after Yauch's passing in 2012, but their impact remains enduring in music history.