When it comes to rap groups that stood the test of time, the Beastie Boys are right at the top of the list. The trio of New York City performers began in the 1980s, and their run lasted several decades until the untimely passing of one of the three members, MCA (born Adam Yauch).
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Still, though, the group boasts a slew of excellent records and the remaining members continue to be part of the pop culture zeitgeist. Here below, we wanted to dive into three essential records for any new music fan looking to start a Beastie Boys collection.
[RELATED: Top 10 Beastie Boys Songs]
Paul’s Boutique (1989)
Formed in 1981, the Beastie Boys were made in the mold of another funky group, Run-D.M.C. And their debut album, License to Ill, quickly became one of the best-selling albums of all time for its tight beats and its wacky, so-called “frat rap” songs. But quickly the trio outgrew their early days and chose a new, more sophisticated direction with their sophomore LP, Paul’s Boutique. They eschewed the malt beer and instead dove into experimentation and more cerebral matters.
Ill Communication (1994)
The group was at the height of its game with this release. There are lots of records to check out from the band, including Check Your Head and Hello Nasty, but you can’t skip out on this album, which includes the band’s best song ever, “Sabotage.” On it, the group takes advantage of its origins as a punk rock band that played their own instruments. “Sabotage” includes buzzy guitars, fat bass lines, and nasty drum playing. Also on the LP are songs like “Sure Shot,” “Root Down,” and “Get It Together.”
The Mix-Up (2007)
It’s hard to choose between the group’s 2007 instrumental LP The Mix-Up and the album they released three years prior, their love letter for New York City To the 5 Boroughs. But because it’s so unusual for a rap collective to release an instrumental album on which they played all the instruments, we chose this one to highlight. Truly, this record is great for background music, or when you’re doing work, or when you’re on a long road trip. It’s 12 tracks of trippy, delightful, and versatile sonic delight.
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