Artist Spotlight: Beastie Boys

Over a dozen years after their debut, the Beastie Boys have grown and evolved, and are still at the top of their game. As a trio of Jewish rappers from New York burroughs, Adam Yauch (MCA), Michael Diamond (Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (Ad Rock) broke the boundaries of rap music with silly party lyrics guaranteed to make listeners laugh as they dance.

And, as their lyrics turned from parties to pop culture to politics, the Beasties remained the same talented fools at heart. Their recent incarnation features a heavy political edge, brought to the group by MCA, who passionately and vocally fights for the rights of the Tibetan people. But, fortunately for their long-term fans, they still write and perform both serious and crazy lyrics in the standard high-energy Beastie style.

The Beastie Boys have always been innovative, but it's their longevity that most impresses me. When their 1987 album "Licensed to Ill" premiered, industry insiders could never have anticipated the group's success not only continuing, but actually increasing, up to the year 2000 and beyond. But, indeed, according to all sources, it has.

The Boys received 1999 Grammy nominations for their latest album, Hello Nasty, in the "Best Alternative Music Performance" and "Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group" categories. And, Rolling Stone Magazine has selected them as the Artists of the Year for 1998. I look forward to aging and evolving to the soundtrack of Beastie Boys music for many years to come!

Here are the freshest Beastie Boys links:

The Official Beastie Boys Home Page Audio and video clips, concert pics, lyrics, news, FAQs, a supply store, and more!

Grand Royal: The Beastie Boys' Record Company Learn all about innovative artists such as Sean Lennon and Luscious Jackson.

Beastie Shrine The #1 fan-produced page. Interact with other Beastie fans through a mailing list and web-based newsgroup.

Rolling Stone Magazine's Artists of the Year An incredible multi-media presentation of a recent interview with the Beastie Boys.

41st Annual Grammy Nominees A quick list of this year's nominees in the Rap music category. Winners announced February 24, 1999.

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