The Beastie Boys have had a long, illustrious, varied, up and down, amazing career. The three best buds from New York City burst on the scene with early hip-hop smashes like “Fight For Your Right” but soon evolved and developed outside of their “frat rap” beginnings into very nuanced emcees (and even instrumental musicians).
The trio, who famously worked with Def Jam in its early heyday and famed producers like Rick Rubin, has amassed a giant following over the decades since its 1986 debut, License to Ill.
Videos by American Songwriter
As always, it’s hard to narrow down such a Hall of Fame career into just ten tracks, but that’s the job and that’s what we did for you here today. So, grab a Brass Monkey and enjoy the electric, eclectic, sporadic, gigantic sounds of the Beasties.
10. “Hold It Now, Hit It”
9. “Shambala”
8. “Root Down”
7. “Body Movin’”
6. “Sure Shot”
5. “So What’Cha Want”
4. “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”
3. “Intergalactic”
2. “Ch-Check It Out”
1. “Sabotage”
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NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 29: Don Henley (R) congratulates Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award recipient Kenny Rogers at the T.J. Martell Foundation 8th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Nashville Hotel on February 29, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell) -
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Faith Hill during Pixelon.com Launches as "The Internet's Largest Full-Screen Full Motion Internet Video Broadcaster" with a Party and Concert at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, 1999 at MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage) -
circa 1966: Jeff Beck, lead guitarist with British rhythm and blues group The Yardbirds, models a flowered shirt by John Stephen. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) -
Unspecified – 1970: Harry Nilsson performing on 'The Smothers Brothers Summer Show'. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) -
American singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman Dolly Parton, poses for a portrait circa 1995 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images) -
(Original Caption) Roger Miller, winner of five Grammy Awards, brings his very popular songs to Knott's Berry Farm's John Wayne Theater, Friday night, July 14, 1972. (Photo by Getty Images)
