The Beastie Boys have been one of the most influential bands since the 1990s. They have showcased a new genre of music people have never seen before and left a mark on music and culture. They are pretty well-known for their hip-hop mixed with rock beats, pushing the boundaries and quickly gaining audiences’ interest. Their creative beats, music videos, and mark on music have shaped the 1990s culture and even to this day.

The Beastie Boys were formed in the 1980s in New York City. The artists in the band are Adam “MCA” Yauch, Michael “Mike D” Diamond, and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz. Before hip-hop, they started as a punk band. However, in 1986, their album Licensed to Ill became a hit. According to an article written by Ben Preece, “To many fans and critics, Licensed to Ill was the debut that, despite being a commercial sensation, is just a product of its time. It’s a fun, mid-80s Def Jam record”. This album featured a mix of rap lyrics and electric guitar. This pleased people and showed what other artists could experiment with. Combining genres was something that wasn’t seen back then.

The most significant thing about the Beastie Boys is their ability to push what rap/hip-hop can sound like. During the 90s, two sides were usually considered: West side and East side rap, but they did something completely different. They combined high energy, electric sounds, and funky lyrics to produce a whole new genre that was something new to people. They have inspired many artists, including Rage Against the Machine and even modern artists such as Joey Valence.

As time passed and the 90s era began, the Beastie Boys started pushing their music even more. Their album, “Paul’s Boutique”, became a classic due to its sample-heavy production. In an article written by Rob Janicke, he says, “Most people seemed to want and expect Licensed To Ill part II, but like many great artists, the Beasties shunned that idea and in doing so, stunned the world with what people would eventually come to recognize as a masterpiece.” By the 1990s, the Beastie Boys were very well known. Albums such as “Check Your Head” (1992) and Ill Communication (1994) pushed the genre mix of hip-hop and rock even more. Not only that, but they added punk as a way to show where they started. The article “Milestones: Ill Communication by Beastie Boys” states that “‘Ill Communication’ marked a turning point for the Beastie Boys by blending their hip-hop roots with punk rock attitude and eclectic sampling to create a sound entirely their own.”

The Beastie Boys’ music videos were also something people had not seen before. Their wacky, colorful, and energetic videos, which also appeared on MTV, pleased viewers. Their visual style and creative ways had a heavy impact on future artists. The Beastie Boys will always be known for their unique take on music. With a mix of hip-hop/rap, punk, and rock, it will always be iconic to music listeners and artists everywhere.