← The Liner Notes
Artist Spotlight

Beastie Boys

hip-hop · 1983–1999

Beastie Boys
📷 Maddy Julien · CC BY-SA 2.0

Picture a gritty New York City street, where the raucous energy of hip-hop meets the rebellious spirit of punk. That’s where the Beastie Boys carved their legendary path, blending genres like hip-hop, rap rock, and hardcore punk with a mischievous flair. Comprised of the iconic trio—Mike D, Ad-Rock, and Adam Yauch—their sound exploded with tracks like “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)” and “Sabotage,” each infused with a playful yet defiant attitude. Their eclectic influences and boundary-pushing style resonated deeply, bringing us unforgettable anthems like “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” and “Shake Your Rump.” With a career that spanned decades, the Beastie Boys left an indelible mark on music, reminding us to embrace our quirks and fight for our right to be unapologetically ourselves.

The facts

  • Formed 1981
  • United States
  • hip-hop, rap rock, alternative hip-hop
  • On Rat Cage Records, Def Jam Recordings, Capitol Records
  • Members: Mike D, Adam Yauch 🕯️, Ad-Rock, Kate Schellenbach, Rick Rubin, Doctor Dré

The story behind “Sabotage”

  • Spike Jonze's fake-70s-cop-show video is a hall-of-famer.

Beastie Boys in the crate

Cooky Puss
Beastie Boys
1983
(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)
Beastie Boys
1986
Brass Monkey
Beastie Boys
1986
Fight For Your Right
Beastie Boys
1986
No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Beastie Boys
1986
Hey Ladies
Beastie Boys
1989
Shake Your Rump
Beastie Boys
1989
Sabotage
Beastie Boys
1994
She's On It
Beastie Boys
1999
👕 Had the shirt? Get the Beastie Boys teeShop →

🛍️ Get the Beastie Boys merch

Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate and an 80sTees affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Details