Hip Hop History
Beastie Boys

Video Transcript:

HIP HOP HISTORY
Episode 7: THE BEASTIE BOYS


In 1986, The Beastie Boys released their groundbreaking debut License to Ill on Def Jam Recordings. That album became the best selling rap album of the 80’s and went on to sell over 5 million copies. Reportedly it’s the first rap album to hit #1 on Billboards pop albums charts. Songs like Paul Revere, Brass Monkey and You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party became instant hip hop classics. Before becoming rap stars, The Beasties started out as punk rockers in a band called the Young Aborigines. It was around 83-84 that Ad Rock, MCA and Mike D started to make their transition into hip hop with the help of Def Jam co-founder and producer Rick Rubin.

After recording just one project with the legendary rap label, The Beastie Boys moved over to Capital Records and recorded their second album Paul’s Boutique with the production team The Dust Brothers. Although some considered this project to be one of their strongest it didn’t measure up to the success of their debut and future recordings to come such as Ill Communication, Hello Nasty and To The 5 Boroughs.

In 1999, The Beasties won 2 Grammy’s for Hello Nasty in both, the Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rap Performance by a duo or group categories, It was the first time a group won both awards for the same year in the history of the award ceremony. They’re also one of the first bands to release their music via MP3 on the Internet.

After the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States, they took on more of a political stance in their music. In 2003, they recorded a song called “In A World Gone Mad,” a song protesting the Iraq War.


In June 2007, The Beastie Boys released their 7th studio album titled “The Mix Up” which is an all-instrumental recording. Word is, they plan to release another version containing lyrics. After 2 decades in the game, The Beasties Boys continue to record and tour all over the world. To find out more about the Beastie Boys log on to beastieboys.com.


Beastie Boys are one of the longest lasting rap groups in hip hop history and truly one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time.

I’m The Poetess and this has been a moment in hip hop history.


All you trekkies and tv addicts
Don't mean to diss
Don't mean to bring static
All you klingons in your grandmas' house
Grab your backstreet friend and get loud
Blowin' doors off hinges
I'll grab you with the pinchers
And no i didn't retire
I'll snatch you up
With the needle nose pliers

Like mutual of omaha
Got the ill boat
You've never seen before
Gliding in the glades
And like lorne greene
You know i get paid
Like caprese and with the basil
Not goofy like darren or hazel
I'm a mother fucking nick at night with
Classics rerunning that you know all right

Now remain calm no alarm
Cause my farm ain't fat
So what's up with that
I've got friends and family that i respect
When i think i'm too good
They put me in check
So believe when i say i'm no better than you
Except when i rap
So i guess it ain't true
Like that y'all and you just don't stop
Guaranteed to make your body rock

Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out
What-wha-what-what-what's it all about
Work-wa-work-work-work-wa-work it out
Let's turn this,turn this party out