The Beastie Boys are a legendary band that defined a generation with their multifarious blend of hip-hop, punk, sampling, guitars, and pop influence. Growing out of the New York underground dance scene in the ’80s, they quickly rose to take over dance clubs and nightclubs across the city. Consisting of Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Michael “Mike D” Diamond, the band started out as various iterations before eventually becoming the renowned trio that they are today. Over the course of their career, the Beastie Boys released seven platinum-selling albums from 1986 to 2004 and were even the third-ever rap group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Originally formed in 1981 out of the members of experimental hardcore punk band The Young Aborigines, the Beastie Boys drew influence from a wide range of musical genres, with a mission to “make rap music as creative and free as the music we sampled”. Thirty years since the release of their critically acclaimed fourth studio album, Ill Communication, the band has cultivated a dedicated following amongst hip hop heads and beyond. Their legacy lives on, with their music continuing to captivate new listeners and inspire generations of musicians.
Rough Trade West Bossman and long-time Beastie Boys fan Chris Summers recently took on the challenging task of ranking the band’s much-adored discography. Though he admits that ranking the band’s eight studio LPs is impossible, he provides a provisional ranking. From their eighth studio album, The Mix Up, which features the boys’ dark cocktail lounge band style, to their debut album, Licensed to Ill, which made them global stars at a young age, Summers gives us a considered and heartfelt ranking of their catalogue.
The Beastie Boys are a band that changed the face of music with influential and groundbreaking contributions. Still, with the sad loss of MCA, their legacy reigns on. The band’s unique blend of genres continues to inspire music lovers worldwide, and their music has shaped the lives of fans such as Summers in so many ways. It’s not often that a band can create such a lasting impact across generations, and the Beastie Boys’ music is nothing short of timeless
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