The Beastie Boys: Why They Still Matter

Start Listening. The Legacy is Waiting.

From 'Licensed to Ill' to 'Paul's Boutique' to 'Ill Communication': there is a whole universe to explore

• Stream 'Licensed to Ill' (1986): the album that started it all

• Watch the 'Sabotage' music video: a masterclass in creative storytelling

• Read the Beastie Boys Book for the full story in their own words

• Follow Mike D's ongoing solo work for new music rooted in the Beastie Boys tradition

• Look up Chuck D's VMAs tribute speech to understand their cultural weight

The Beastie Boys proved that genre is just a cage: the best artists break out of it. That lesson is as relevant today as it was in 1987.