Beastie Boys: The Greatest Group Of All Time

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A few weeks ago, we mentioned that the Beastie Boys were the greatest group of all time. We’re not talking about favorites - we’re talking about objective achievements, consistency, quality and overall impact on the game. Beastie Boys: The Greatest Group Of All Time. Let’s break it down…
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[@jakelawrence1086]

They never sold out and they never pretended to be something they weren't. They were themselves and made great music and that's why I think they are loved by most.

[@fistup6457]

I think that's why and where black artist fail. Trying to stay relevant to the point that they have no true identity so they lose their fans. Bboys on the other hand is a prime example of being true to oneself even if you don't become a megastar

[@GrzegorzDurda]

@@fistup6457 It may be that black fans overall are also more finicky an disloyal on the long term.

[@sakallnureddinibrahimkonya3490]

Right. 0% Sexuality 0% Pretension 0% Violence 100% Hip Hop

[@magaman1776]

Aye well to be fair it was New York in the 80’s everyone was strapped even 3 Jewish guys

[@HOWYOUDOIN884]

Aaaaand their interviews are hilarious... And if you haven't watched the 30 minute video called licensed to ill revisited, check it out. Full of celebraties.

[@markanderica]

They took the music seriously, but never themselves. That is why people love them.

[@fuzzydunlop1753]

Well put, there's nothing more annoying than people who take themselves too seriously.

[@7elevenqt]

It's a difficult balance to pull off, yet BB did it effortlessly

[@inpoortaste4395]

100%

[@ExileOnDaytonStreet]

What’s always been great about Beastie Boys is how well they rapped over each other. Most groups just have the guy who doubles the ends of the lines in case the MC runs out of breath. These guys traded line by line and finished each other’s rhymes like they were one MC with three heads. Very few groups out there like that.

[@erikfincher5011]

Damm straight. It how you KNOW on contact its the beasties

[@AbsoluteApril]

the way they could flow in and out of each other and come in on just accent word, unparalleled

[@sideskroll]

Wanna know something funny? The Lonely Island do that FLAWLESSLY as well 😁

[@Greenmould]

One MC with three heads is a nice way to put it

[@dlm9293]

The mere fact that CHUCK D FROM PUBLIC ENEMY throws big ups to the Beasties just shows how truly dope and DOWN they were.

[@FistandFootMartialArts]

Yup! I was just sayin that. I've wondered if the BBs were for real. Mista Chuck's word is all I need!

[@patrickbateman3610]

Very thoughtful, unbiased opinion. He gave tangible reasons for his arguments, not just personal opinions.

[@allentate8261]

I was going to say the same thing. A really deep look into all these things. Historical, educational and awesome.

[@uncleseth9]

Thought you were more into Huey Lewis and the News

[@harpuaslutbag2997]

Unbiased? Although I agree with him completely about the BBoys being the Kings, anyone that uses the term "white privilege" is definitely biased.

[@mrvapor4791]

And mad racism

[@TheMicahRussell]

Harpua SlutBag why? I think the term it self is, so yes there. However the way this dude used the term with reference and examples doesn't bother me at all.

[@rupertbloomsbury9789]

Innovation not identity is why they stayed relevant.

[@briane596able]

Yes, that’s the most realistic reason... and I say they’re the purest hybrid music group ever But lyrics flow it’s NOT on the level of a lot of the greats...at times you need to strain you ears to hear what they’re saying...conscious street they don’t tick those either.. this is a flat out bad take

[@GauntLife]

Their rhymes were better than anybody elses too. Save for Nas, Biggie or Mobb.

[@SeeforYourself]

They definitely grew from a wannabe RUN DMC. No way these guys can be the greatest. Great YES! Too 5 absolutely. RUN DMC or Outkast gets the nod. I’d go Outkast

[@hollingsworthfamily7269]

You deserve a PhD for this balanced, researched approach. Bravo.

[@luv2bwjlo]

They got to to tour with Madonna bc they would do it for just $500 a show while Run DMC would not do it for less than $20K a show.

[@danielmonsivais4998]

Well it seems today that's was there're bad huh??? Get off the gas...

[@danbardos3498]

Thank you. White privilege my ass.

[@jessesmith4207]

@nesrules 8bit bruh

[@swazilandandbotswana8856]

Jesse Smith what bruh?

[@pradabears]

@Swaziland and Botswana bruh white privilege exists

[@benmontoya8217]

God, Murs does such a good job of celebrating artists while still critically questioning their success. He just covers all the bases, big respect.

[@ununseptium7961]

I found a Licensed to Ill tape in my neighbor's yard in 1987. It changed my life forever.

[@poswaybentleyfromtheancients-]

unun septium it was license to Ill in the first reality

[@poswaybentleyfromtheancients-]

unun septium like license to kill the movie

[@ununseptium7961]

I am trying to figure out what you are saying. Can you please reword this?

[@poswaybentleyfromtheancients-]

unun septium it’s this thing called the mandela effect in 1986 87 when I bot the tape the album was called license to ill but now it’s licensed to ill / the reason I remember license to ill because of the movie license to kill , some people ain’t affected as bad but I am

[@poswaybentleyfromtheancients-]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zqu5mq2emJyBiqs

[@kyleeustice4590]

Paul's Boutique actually broke a Guinness Book world record for the most samples used on an album.

[@sabumafu111lll3]

The Madonna thing wasn't white privilege it was because they did it for 500 bucks a show

[@sandmansevenseven1512]

Leo you are 100% correct madonna's management wanted Run DMC @ 20k a show and Rick Rubin said they weren't available ( he wasn't even managing them he bullshitted, I mean they were not available but it was not his place to say that), but he had some hot young guys that would do it for $ 500 bucks a show and the guys went for it, out of control on stage, as it was for completely not their or run dmc's audience anyway. I think people also here that it was Madonna and think huge, but it was her first tour as well.

[@jakedizzle]

He needs to push the narrative tho

[@jakejutras5420]

Exactly but that wouldn't support "the narrative" my man.

[@GARY84ROCKS]

@@jakejutras5420 I'm the first one to call "narrative" but if sandman is correct, that sounds like "white" something or just "Rick Rubin is a dick who ripped off a group from getting a Madonna tour..a group that happened to be black while the group that benefited was the same skin color as Rubin"

[@daveoverlund725]

@@sandmansevenseven1512 It was Russell Simmons who said RUN DMC was 20k a show, they passed. Then, they asked Russell about the Fat Boys (who he didn't manage), and he said they weren't available. Then he offered the Beasties for $500 a show.

[@revlo1557]

On point. Most innovative. Most creative. Never sold out. Always had their own sound. Never bit no one else's style. Longevity. Pioneers. Accolades. Groundbreaking. Were not held back by any genre. LEGENDARY. Beasties are my favorite hip hop group of all time.

[@gloomydf9621]

Revlo1 doesn't mean they music sounded good

[@TroyChewning]

PhiLo you're right, but Obviously some people think it sounds good (or great) and the proof is in the fact that they have influenced almost everyone in the game to this day....

[@TroyChewning]

PhiLo also, using an opinion (especially one's own) in an argument that isnt opinion-based is about as useful as a poopy flavored lollipop

[@gloomydf9621]

Troy James lol yea that's true

[@regirayquaza]

Revlo1 Never bit style (except Run DMC).

[@KarimJovian]

Staying creative and relevant line you said was deep and so true. Dude this was a well made and researched video. Learned a lot of stuff. Shit this was a good video, you changed my mind...

[@kxngshyicide6886]

Why they left was because Rick And Russell wouldn't pay them. Its in the book.

[@danielmonsivais4998]

They almost dead so give them a standing ovation for one jod well fucked up!!!

[@danielmonsivais4998]

*Job

[@fabiobalenzano6439]

They tried to control the Beasties, Russell wanted a 2nd album all like "You gotta fight" and they wouldn't have it, so when they split, he never paid them their royalties A true scumbag

[@jimibirbeck1996]

@@bobbyjfromtheuk1 your the only implying he ripped them off due to his heratige. But you do also realise all three of the boys where also Jewish right? Horovitz, Diamond and Yauch are their last names 😂

[@TonyGilbert1]

@@jimibirbeck1996 he did rip them off though read the book it talks about what he did

[@l34052]

Paul Revere is still a banging tune today🎵🎶🎵

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

l34052 Brass Monkey as well.

[@salvatoresultana4058]

NO SLEEP TIL 🎸🎸🎸🎸NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN

[@justinhenderson286]

Shadrach is best ever

[@thepyroking1236]

intergalatic

[@jpcrp]

There are fast too many great songs to just pick a few. Right up to the last lp.

[@xjadit7826]

A group like the bestie boys was destined to happen punks have a lot of respect for hip hop its verry similar to punk music or at least it was at the time they didn’t sound alike obviously but they were both rebellious and they were both a voice for oppressed youth and I think that’s what made the bestie boys work and that’s why they were so dam good they knew how to tap in to both and make it work

[@xjadit7826]

Brett Augustine that was a typo wasn’t intentional haha

[@KevinHillofDOOM]

Strong point, the correlation of punk and hip hop in the era.

[@SomeReallyUniqueName]

Punk is related to ska which in turn originates from Jamaica. So the relationship between Punk and R&B/Rap is in the genetics. Plus there were a lot of blacks in Punk and Ska bands. Just wait til the young'uns ... read about black skinheads.

[@Prod106]

@@SomeReallyUniqueName Two Tone

[@DumbIdeaPresentedStupidly]

Debbie Harry was good friends with Grandmaster flash

[@manchildrc]

4 years later and I'm just seeing this. I'm 47 years old and the Beastie Boys were the soundtrack to my youth. Those memories can bring me to tears or fits of laughter. RIP MCA. They influenced me so much and are so entwined in my life Mike D or Ad Rock could ask me for anything and I would make it happen like they were my brothers. I can't imagine how many people out there feel the same way.

[@cardigansarecool]

Murs clearly said greatest, not best or favorite. I think I can agree. The Beasties made consistently good music their entire career, and never made a wack album or even mediocre album for the 30 years they were together. Wu-Tang can't say that. Not even De La Soul or Public Enemy can say that, as much as I love and respect them. The only group that comes close to consistency and longevity is Tribe, but they also had a 20 year gap between records. Paul's Boutique is a legitimate masterpiece.

[@EmbassyNerdcore]

Im a huge beasties fan but I'll admit that 5 Boroughs was mediocre, unless you live in NYC and really want to listen to people talk about George W Bush then its a classic.

[@cardigansarecool]

EmbassyNerdcore 5 Boroughs is definitely their weakest album by far, I'll give you that. But I still think it's a notch or two above average.

[@SuperDaveSo]

@@EmbassyNerdcore Although I really liked Hello Nasty, and I respect the Hell out of Mix Master Mike, I have to say that I definitely prefer the work they did with DJ Hurricane. But I guess they wouldn't be up for consideration as the Greatest Of All Time if they didn't grow and expand their horizons. I always compare them to The Beatles the way they experimented with new sounds and the fact that from start to finish, their entire careers were always at the top.

[@mojo2679]

@@EmbassyNerdcore 5 boroughs is excellent and ffs if it can even be considered less than that it shows how outstanding their other albums were..we're literally spoilt for choice.

[@jasonmgomez]

@@EmbassyNerdcore dude, im in your crawlspace upgrades that whole album. Plus, it is their 9/11 album, a love letter to their hometown. Its classic.

[@PZHeadRecords]

Also, Ad Rock discovered LL and made the beat on his first record, "I Need a Beat."

[@joeymanson2222]

Yeah man thats a sick story. Ad Rock listening to demos picks out one the greatest Rappers of all time. LL Cool J Rock the Bells!

[@KaseKyRo]

Thanks I did not know that! That’s dope

[@LordHaveMurcielago]

I did not know that! Wow. One of the greatest A&R moves ever!

[@EricNygma]

Perfect video! I’ve always hated when people talk greatest rap groups of all time and rarely mention the Beasties. Hell, when some rappers even shoutout the late greats nowadays they’ll say “RIP to Biggie, Pac, Pun, Big L, JMJ...” and never mention MCA. It’s like hip hop tries to discount for some odd reason. Even with their punk rock and jazz influences, they’ve always kept more hip hop than anything. Hello Nasty is a straight up hip hop album and one of the bests. Intergalactic has one of the hardest beats. Beasties’s has one of the baddest and sickest dj’s out with Mixmaster Mike. License To Ill has probably been sampled to death in rap nowadays. Beastie Boys should always be in the conversation and if you don’t think so then you need to listen to them and check your head.

[@greenbean6002]

Sabotage is the best music video ever!

[@ilkkarautio2449]

2nd that! Beastie boys are awesome. 👌👌👍 Im tired of race beeing a thing in hip hip and in general. Im one of the disfranchised and i have encountered racism and prejudice, but i try to let it go and just be myself. 😳

[@erlycuyler]

Cinematic genius!

[@drbannter]

Best music video = Thriller

[@jasonhawkins6187]

Fred Kelly as bunny kills me all the time with that wig and the other characters also

[@xavierjauregui5544]

Triple trouble is better

[@shortcutDJ]

The Beastie Boys are also the best team on NBA-JAM

[@alejandroramirez4470]

They even made it onto nba street v3

[@LEEMAN-X]

So before I say anything I'm going to say The Beastie boys are one of my favorite music groups ever. Period. I always would listen to them and my black friends would make fun of me hahaha but I never gave af cuz I listen to everything growing up (everything 80s and alternative rock and hip-hop 90s ) I think there are a ton of better rappers lyrically, but as far as longevity, creativity and just plane having fun with their music, the Beasties got tons of rappers beat. I'm a very proud Beastie boys fan, the beats on Paul Rivere and Watcha want are sick at and they were also better Live compared to most rappers, rap music live sucks, I don't care what anyone says. Because the Beastie boys were able to put real instruments into their sound they were better live . So yeah Beastie boys are one of the hip hop Goats. Rip MCA

[@over-educated-sp]

Hell yes!

[@fuzzydunlop1753]

True.

[@Itsjustmyopinionduh]

First of all I love this channel. Secondly, facts > emotions when knowledge is concerned. I agree with everything expect for the “unfair advantage” phrase. Take out unfair and leave in advantage. The beastie boys were born “white” and not poor but that was beyond their control. Unfair implies that they got something over someone else when it wasn’t deserved. They deserve their props. Their ethnicity and station in life helped them have the luxury of a “plan b” if their music fell through, but their creativity, talent and vision is what keeps them relevant. Besides that, they as they got older they became more “conscious” w/o selling out and their projects reflect those values. I remember hearing Paul Revere in second grade w/o knowing these were white guys... the sound was funky, abrasive, funny and cool. Everything I love in art/artists. Rap and punk music are pretty much related in my opinion and I love both. Great job Murs.

[@enigmasept927]

No one should just dismiss Murs' argument. This was very thoughtful and convincing piece. I'm glad he mentioned Paul's Boutique because it was revolution ary in sampling and sampling techinques. People are quick to use the word 'classic' but Licensed to Ill and Paul's Boutique are certified classics. If you haven't heard of them, you need to do your research and your opinion is void. My favorite group is Outkast but it's a hard sell to say Beastie Boys did not contribute more to the culture AND they did it with more longevity. Good shyt, Murs.

[@threadpusher]

Paul's Boutique is one of my favorite albums

[@godthealmighty671]

my names album and your mum luvs my hit single

[@delbertgrady5492]

All their albums are my favorite.

[@pkt976]

Was ahead of its time. People got it after awhile though. Grabbed me right away. Had the red cassette.

[@peteradams136]

it's amazing

[@daveyboy_]

PkT lol. i had the yellow one then it broke cause it got overplayed. i believe Check your head is juuuustt slightly one level above Pauls Boutique though ! just by a hair.

[@lowerclassbrats77]

I straddle Both Worlds I'm a huge punk rock fan and Hip-Hop fan. They're not as different as one might think. I have the Beastie Boys punk rock CD pollywog stew is pretty fucking awesome. I can't believe they can do both genres and do them well. I've always identified with the rebellious spirit of both genres.

[@casmo87]

Aglio e Olio is pretty mean, too... if ya haven't checked that one out. I recommend

[@TheLexiconDevils]

I had the 7” when it came out Then saw them on tv with party and went wtf is this the same group?

[@alna1287]

That last sentence. This man.

[@londalecarter3482]

R.I.P Adam Yauch (MCA)

[@AUSTONDANGELO610]

FINALLY SOMEONE PUT SOME RESPEK ON THE BEASTIE BOYS NAME!!!! SLEPT ON LEGENDS!!!

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

The Landmine Lieutenant for real. Consistency is key

[@chillmaster66]

It's not like it didn't happen before. Others of the older legends like LL cool J, NWA, Chuck D never made a secret out of it how the they admired the work of the Beastie Boys. Even Eminem said License to Ill showed him that it was possible to succeed in this game as a white man. It's hard for me to tell what standing they had in the scene since I'm not from the USA. But damn. If Ice Cube gives someone credit for their work it must mean something because what that dude loves is giving credit to himself (which isn't undeserved in his case).

[@TheTukTuk2008]

Hold it now - HIT IT! Man I love them since 83!❤️ R.I.P. Adam Yauch

[@chrisheese4674]

That video is iconic. It was the first video to have close up camera work.

[@anthonythegreat72]

Hold it now (Kurtis Blow) HIT IT! (Slick Rick)

[@adamreed1750]

3 mc’s and 1 dj shows how pure these guys are.

[@zibbybone]

Never knew that DefJam wanted to make a Beastie Boys movie. So glad that never happened. When "Paul's Boutique" was released, I really wanted a "Licensed to Ill 2", and didn't get into it at first. A couple of years, I started to appreciate it and realized it was ahead of its time.

[@chopydave]

The beastie boys book pretty much says that yea def jam wanted them to do a rinky dink movie and more songs like fight for your right thank God they left.

[@elreyabeja4539]

Paul's Boutique is a masterpiece

[@hexadecim8]

Same. I bought Pauls on the first day it came out. Bought the cassette tape. It was bright bright yellow with a black label. Listened to it a few times and hated it. But somehow the beat from High Plains Drifter burrowed into my head and put itself on repeat. A month later I was digging through the beer cans and hamburger wrappers on the floorboards of my car looking for that tape. Few things in life are worthy of being called epic. Pauls Boutique is epic.

[@heggy_69]

Wasn't there a Beastie boy movie or was that a dream/nightmare I had?

[@elreyabeja4539]

@@heggy_69 they made an appearance in Krush Groove

[@jodys.7272]

A fan of hip hop, rap, punk and funk - these dudes fused them all together. We won't see some awesome shit like them for a long time.

[@scootscootriot]

Quite literally in one particular song, Sabotage.

[@KardiFan2000]

You know what would be dope...a Tribe breakdown, or even a Native Tongues breakdown that talks about the influence and impact that those groups had on hip hop.

[@randomango2789]

KardiFan2000 Yes

[@thatpatguy]

Hell yeah

[@nialloconnor6762]

Love the tribe. Everything above I agree with. 1 beasties 2 tribe 3 wu

[@harpuaslutbag2997]

Cuz this is about the Greatest Rap Group of all time. Now..ATCQ is easily in my top 5 of greatest rappers/groups of all time. But ATCQ was still evolutionary and not revolutionary. Boogie Down Productions and KRS-One are in my top 5 too, but even they are evolutionary to the BBoys. So that's why those other groups weren't mentioned cuz they're not the number one rap group of all time....the BBoys are.

[@chrisheese4674]

Without the Beastie Boys we would of never got that dude from Detroit. You know the man that goes by the name Slim Shady.

[@futuregohan4837]

Or Commonly Known As Eminem

[@robertsteinberger5667]

Can you also say something positive about the beasties?

[@localandonlinepreciousmeta3575]

Don’t put that blame on the Beastie Boys. It’s not their fault that the world got Eminem

[@therapist6328]

Kid Rock is skinny and shady.

[@papajohnsdimsum1564]

Or N.W.A. Ice Cube has said they knew that they could pull off their music after doing dirtier covers of Beastie Boys songs at house parties. If they hadn't been well received, maybe they would have never happened or created something far different than what we got.

[@SireOnesixone]

the first cassette I bought with my walkman was the license to ill album. the rest is history.

[@young_heart]

I was born in '86 and when I was like 6 years old I saw the video for "So what'cha want" and that was the first thing I understood as "cool" without anybody telling me, haha.

[@blackseed68]

You know what Murs, that's why I keep watching your videos and listening to your perspective. Your always fair and objective and not afraid to speak honestly or even play devil's advocate so your audience can get a full picture of your argument. Keep doing what your doing sir!!!

[@josephthorpe8138]

Hello Nasty is one of the greatest records of all time. It goes way beyond punk and hiphop. It is a masterpiece

[@scootscootriot]

That’s cool to hear someone with that opinion. I love that album, but I’d still rank Paul’s Boutique and Check Your Head higher. Yet, I can totally understand you saying that because it is a masterpiece and there’s nothing else like it.

[@zacfromArkansas]

Hello Nasty was the first album I ever bought at the age of 13. It will always have a special place in my heart. So ahead of it’s time.

[@alysmari3956]

I still love em'. It seems that they grew up as I was growing up. PS I miss Adam...

[@kcguero]

Read their book! it is amazing!

[@philjr5714]

Paul’s boutique is my favorite record of all time. It’s so good. You just have to spend time listening to the songs. B-Boy Bouillabaisse takes along time to get going but it’s a classic imo. Listen to it completely if you haven’t.

[@beandipss]

Dude Bouillabaisse is the BEST 🙌

[@downeybill]

Paul's Boutique is indeed their finest moment.

[@mattjones4285]

My favorite Beastie Boys album, I about wore the tape out I listened to it so much back when it came out.

[@dleoner1]

Egg Man was my anthem during my youth!!

[@lilbabybubbiebubspinkytoes1986]

Lookin down the barrel of a gun mind blowing lol

[@camillac.859]

I grew up listening to rock and heavy metal bands and Beastie Boys "introduced" me to the hip-hop world a few years ago. Because of them, I discovered ATCQ, De La Soul, Run DMC, Public Enemy, Nas, and others... Because of them I started to listen to different kind of music, like Bossa Nova, samba (even though I'm from Brazil and never cared about it), Funk, jazz, etc. So I prefer understand them like an alternative hip-hop group, they sound different, maybe because of their punk rock roots. But if you have a chance check out "Paul's Boutique". It's a real masterpice.

[@TheRavenblast]

Dela soul ... good one that takes me back

[@tomioka_giyuu_isnot_depres9597]

De la soul cool . But Black Sheep did it better.

[@harrycarsch4773]

Beastie Boys were a like the gateway drug when it comes to white suburbia falling in love with hip hop and more importantly buying hip hop albums. They have earned a ton of accolades but they don’t get enough credit for this - creating the major source of the industry’s revenue back when selling records was actually profitable (for the labels at least) and in turn establishing the foundation of what the business is today.

[@MANDINGLOST00]

They have no classification. None. Punk. Hip Hop and accomplished musicians all rolled into one. There will NEVER ever be anything close. They are like the Beatles for ppl who get me on that. If you haven't heard The in sound from way out.... It's a must do.

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

You have great taste in music. Bossa Nova, Samba and stuff related like Carmen Miranda and Xavier Cougat are all effortlessly cool.

[@loriaynstickler7800]

I mentioned the Beastie Boys at work one day. My boss casually mentions that Mike D is her cousin. The 80s teen in me went crazy! Oh- and the family genes are strong- they definitely look related!

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

That's way cool, I love the way Mike D kinda stares in interviews and looks about 10 years old all the time.

[@user-fs1lc2cj5s]

everyone disagreeing didn’t make it to the end of the video. They are not the most talented group, or even the most likable group, but numbers-wise and leaving a mark on the hip hop community-wise, they are the greatest. he’s not saying he likes the beastie boys more than, say, Outkast.

[@mosescampos305]

Can't argue with that. Beasties kick ass. R.I.P. MCA

[@molochz]

I listen to predominately death metal but I love this channel. Saw Beastie Boys back in the 90's and they blow me away. Been a massive fan since.

[@seankuhn155]

beastie boys is the only hip hop group I really like. grunge was always my scene but they just transcend genre boundaries

[@dogsandyoga1743]

Genre boundaries are wack...

[@avzarathustra6164]

@@dogsandyoga1743 Exactly!

[@ozzymandias8137]

Realise it’s an old comment but you should check out Run the Jewels, it’s modern hip hop but definitely appeals to other genre bases

[@AgentLemmon]

go and listen to cannibal ox.

[@yoitsgiook]

Everyone disliking clearly did not watch the whole video and/or failed to understand the point here. It's not about best.

[@panrick]

The Beastie's left Def Jam because Def Jam got shady with the money. Also Leon, Rick and Russell wanted more of the same from the Beastie Boys, they wanted License to Ill Part 2, and the Beastie Boys wanted to do something much more interesting. This says a lot about their integrity.

[@Caffeine_Club]

AMEN.

[@GenXGrownUp]

What a great piece on the legendary Beasties. Thanks for this, HipHopDX!

[@stephenallen4211]

Amazing analysis. I'm 52, remember wearing out my casett listening to the Beastie Boys, and destroying my eardrums. They opened my mind to RUN DMC, Whodini and countless others...still listen to old school rap to this day, all started because of the Beastie Boys. Legends!

[@todddougherty9492]

I’m 47 and I remember waiting and recording Paul Revere cause it sounded incredible! That was after recording a Bon Jovi song.

[@kfdyy]

So many ignorant people in the comments. I guarantee everyone saying shit like “they’re not hip hop”, “they had one hit album”, “no talent” etc. have only listened to Fight For Your Right and probably haven’t listened to a whole album besides Licensed To Ill. Paul’s Boutique is considered by many, not just music critics but actual black rappers and musicians, to be one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Miles Davis of all people said he “never got tired from listening to it”. Chuck D at the time said” The dirty secret in the rap community is that Paul's Boutique has the best beats." It was truly ahead of its time. And that’s not even taking into account the rest of their discography. Every one of their albums does something different, from extensive sampling to adding guitars on Check Your Head and Ill Communication, to going for a more Big Beat sound on Hello Nasty. They had a different sound on every album and they made it sound good every time. Now I do think calling them the “greatest” is debatable. But they’re definitely top 5 without a question, and if you think it’s because of their skin colour or heritage, you’re just showing everybody how incredibly ignorant you are.

[@chrisstarkey2479]

amen.

[@bws205]

Paul's Boutique is a masterpiece and BB have more great songs than any other hip hop group I can think of

[@clipsnchits4820]

seeing this comment mad late but, one time i was listening the the beastie boys when i was younger and my dad walked in the room. he said something like what the hell are you listening to this is trash (my dad only listens to classic rock) i said its the beastie boys i know youve heard them before, they made that song fight for your right to party. and he was "oh they made one good song" i had to explain to him that they made countless amazing songs they just make songs of alot of different styles, thats just the only song that comes up on classic rock radio stations.

[@HangmanOfficialUploads]

bruh, no one's saying that. What the fuck is your problem?

[@ph6376]

Paul's Boutique is when I first took them seriously as a group. That album is hypnotic.

[@alexmichelle7721]

1994 Lollapalooza, Victorville CA. Best concert of my life. Beastie Boys almost caused a riot. It was awesome.

[@Talismanhex]

Didn't that concert also introduce Bodycount?

[@Sir_Osis]

Alexandra Michelle Nice! I was at the Cal State Dominguez hills Lollapalooza show the same year. Would’ve been cool if Cobain didn’t die that year since Nirvana was the original headliner but yeah, The Beastie Boys crushed it.

[@Sir_Osis]

Talismanhex Nah I think Bodycount was a few years before.

[@alexmichelle7721]

Sir Osis oh shit I forgot about that. Rip Kurt and MCA 😔

[@Sir_Osis]

Alexandra Michelle At our show we didn’t have an almost Beastie riot but I do remember feeling bad for the Smashing Pumpkins that filled in for Nirvana as the headliner. The crowd was singing “All and all is all we are” repeatedly for like 20 min before the Pumpkins came on.

[@jbowen791]

I've been a hip hop fan since at least '85, seen all them cats in concert and can say the beastie boys are the real deal. Great vid!

[@greghicks5960]

I was a metal head in 1986 when I was in college. In the dorm room next door was a black friend I had went to high school with. He played the Beastie Boys for me and I was instantly hooked. Then he dropped the bomb on me- "They're white!" So I was a fan even before I knew anything about them and they remain my favorite band to this day until my last day.

[@J-Loe]

Plus that crazy motherfucker Rick Rubin had Slayer and Anthrax contribute to rap songs. “King of Rock” “Rock the Bells” Big part of the earlier rap sound was ‘Rock’ You had to hit hard like bonzo I’ve spun 86 era rap at clubs and it’s a whole other thing. When you play ‘king of rock’ at crushing levels a whole other line in the music becomes apparent

[@2007NissanAltima]

Damn pathetic, you like them bc their white?

[@gfeast4518]

White privilege my butt they worked hard and they og pioneers

[@Brinton_Callahan]

GFEAST white privilege hahahahaha

[@chilly6883]

@@Brinton_Callahan you're fucking high fool

[@jgvtc559]

It was rick rubin

[@zeitgeistdinahmoebwanafefe8721]

@DethFiesta I do agree that Rubin made Licensed to Ill guitar-driven to appeal to a white audience. The success of the album showed Rubin where he could go with his skills as a producer, which I'm lukewarm towards. He severs ties with Russell and quickly reinvigorated his career mainly in rock. Murs said that sound was completely absent from their sophomore release, and the white audience turned on them. I applaud them for evolving, not sticking to any particular sound or genre. I do prefer the first three over Ill Communication and Hello Nasty. But those, too were trying to be different than the previous. Rappers in the mainstream are too concerned about attaching themselves to the latest trends. Legit fans complain that the minute they become irrelevant or *long* after they sell out, that they kept pumping out the same old shit. The Beasties aren't my favorite rappers, but indeed have a lot of respect for them. For organizing their own festival to promote inner peace and tranquility of the mind and body, speaking against the increasingly violent shows, partly due to the crack epidemic. Cocaine kills the emotional side of you eventually. Still, white privilege shows as they were boys attending private school, that got big when their *debut* album drops. Many of my favorite rappers are on to their fifth, sixth or seventh disc and the cultural zeitgeist continues to elude them. But you have to pay your dues, somehow and you have your growing legion of fans but not quite the right connections.

[@paulparadoxia]

The breakdown is perfect.. Some white privilege involved but its not what got them over the line...

[@ericmarcuson3337]

Beastie Boys Jazz instruments timeless and underrated

[@BigLewDog30]

The funny thing... Paul's Boutique is by far their best record IMO

[@yehi5356]

People only say that because of the fact no one listened to it when it came out

[@rockandrollhistory101]

It's the Hip Hop Sargent Pepper

[@evapalma8078]

The book says it’s hello nasty because it contains the videos, art and songs they’re the most proud of. Intergalactic may have been one of my first music video loves, but Paul’s remains a stone cold magnum opus.

[@fabiobalenzano6439]

Paul's Boutique is one of the 10 most influential hip hop albums of all time. Period.

[@joeldukes303]

Evangelista Momo 100% dude. I suppose my top 5 BB albums... #5 Licensed to Ill #4 Check your Head #3 Ill Communication #2 Paul’s Boutique #1 Hello Nasty Really you could shuffle my #2 , 3 and 4 spots with little argument . But I hold strong to the 1 and 5 spots

[@GingerellaSnap]

As a huge fan for way longer than I want to admit, you broke this down amazingly. Subscribed.

[@OrderoftheWarlocks]

Hold it now...... HIT IT!!!!

[@lancehall7020]

Spot on arguments here. For the commenters who have trouble with the "white privilege" parts of it, you need to understand that ihe biggest "diss" on the Beasties being the number 1 hip hop group ever is that they are white. This guy is defending the idea that their whiteness isn't the reason, its just a coincidence, but to do that he HAS to address it honestly, and he does. Tuning out of the debate at the words "white privilege" is just lazy and missing the whole point of the video, but I guess if you want to do that... Its your privilege to do so. Great video.

[@jonbanjankri142]

Thank you Lance Hall for saying EXACTLY what I was thinking as I read through these comments. It's obvious to me that those who have the biggest problem with the phrase, also have the least understanding of its meaning. The dude who put this video together went to great length in breaking it down and using it appropriately and righteously. I have never seen or heard of him before this video, and I now have mad respect for him as a music critic. At the same time, it makes me so sad to see his efforts, not to mention the efforts of great musicians like the Beastie Boys being wasted on such a plethora of mental midget dullards. It is reminiscent of the crazed hysteria that propelled the musically incompetent 2 Live Crew to fame and fortune following the pure and raw genius of the groundwork laid by License to Ill. Thank God that time and reality has separated the wheat from that chaff. This critic made his case beyond a shadow of doubt, and I could NOT agree more: Beastie Boys are the greatest group EVER!

[@Spaced92]

That's a good way to put it. I think they only got picked up *as they were* because they were white but that's also an indication that it took a while for people to really listen to them because they'd have easily been picked up if they were black, Fight for your Right was straight up mocking the people that became their biggest fans for a few years. They broke barriers, but they themselves were also held back because no one was giving them credit for one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time in Paul's Boutique, they wanted party songs.

[@senorg2691]

Too bad all three beastie boys are jewish and why does the race of "the #1 hip hop group" matter? Has nothing to do with how they got big or stayed big and saying different is just ignorant

[@senorg2691]

@Gideon Nell Harper good argument really changed my mind with that one!

[@carsonmccord6226]

We need to re-title this and name it greatest hip hop duets/groups/crews. I feel like that would be a better series. Eric B and Rakim, Outkast, Wu Tang, Mobb Deep, The Roots, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, NWA, and De La Soul...

[@plainpawesome]

Carson McCord when Murs explains why he chose not to do crews, it kind of makes sense, but if he did one for crews, it would have to be NWA because they all did so much as a group and then even more individually for the entire scene. Dr Dre with Snoop, Death Row, Aftermath, then Eminem, 50 Cent, etc. Cube solo and with Westside Connection, all his movies,... I was thinking Public Enemy earlier, but they really were groundbreaking up until the early 90s and everything after that was Flava being a clown and Chuck D making a small impact musically. Yes, I recognize lots of ppl are saying Outkast, Wu Tang, Fugees, etc... Who made beats by Dre? Who produced Eminem? Who's the doctor the told you to go see?

[@MaxOVADrive]

This is an excellently put together argument. I honestly don't know enough about hip hop to agree or disagree with you, but you present your opinion in a well thought out and even-handed way. Very rare on the internet. Great video.

[@lmoart6669]

Salute for this one . people need To know. Rip MCA

[@sgreer78]

I hated Paul's Boutique when it came out. I was stupid and didn't know what I was talking about. It's now one of my favorite albums.

[@durchreiser6573]

same me

[@danielmonsivais4998]

Don't sell yourself short buddy, your still stupid.

[@djvoodoo187]

Daniel Monsivais ...*you’re... at least sgreer78 is able to handle the language, so maybe not as stupid...

[@DJNurseAnnabella]

Thats crazy lol I loved it the first second I heard it back in '90.

[@wzpu3283]

"High Plains Drifter" though.

[@hemeheru6219]

Yo we was rocking LICENSED TO ILL out the box...we didnt even care that they were white ,we heard HIPHOP........NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN , BRASS MONEY, RHYMIN & STEALING, THE NEW STYLE, SHE'S CRAFTY, GIRLS,....alll Bangers

[@TheKcXiV]

my dad bought me the cassette tape back in 86. I begged for it, and he came through. Listened to it soo much. I was in the 4th grade!

[@derrikmental6014]

💯

[@MrGLites]

Greatest rap album of all time along with The Adventures of S;lick Rick.

[@PatrickPrejusa]

this video was very well made earned you a sub for sure. props to paying proper respect to the pioneers.

[@Padu1983]

What I love about this comment section specifically is that everybody has his opinion, like it should be, but nobody can talk sh*t about the beastie boys...they are maybe the most respected and loved group of all time

[@vernellthomas6644]

Another dope segment Murs!!! I wasn’t heavy into Licensed To Ill but Paul’s Boutique was And is my shyt!!! Respect to the Beastie Boys! I know there’s other groups out there that people will argue why you didn’t mention them but he you broke it down to why you feel this way and I respect your opinion! Keep doing a fantastic job! Peace! 👊🏽👊🏽

[@danielberwick3875]

Paul's Boutique threw me for a loop. Was not expecting that stuff. But there has never been a better album to listen to on headphones. It grew on me to say the least.

[@etwoodson213]

I literally NEVER comment on KZbin videos but all I'm going to say is these 3 words...DE LA SOUL...they may not have the awards to back this claim but I can almost guarantee they have influenced every part of hip hop and still drop some of the most quality music around today...

[@uvscuti2047]

eric woodson de la soul got corny in like 2 years

[@MursTv]

I agree strongly. Please look at my Rappers over 40 Breakdown. I scream about how important they are

[@ryanbaer3997]

The problem with this is that the Beastie Boys are not a rap group. Nor or are they punk, metal, jazz, or whatever the hell else you could describe them as. Absolutely no one has a discography remotely comparable. Hardcore punk, straight hip hop, rap-metal, funk, jazz and winning a grammy for best instrumental album. All the while they by and large released music on their own label, shot their own videos and produced all of their own album art. They put out definitely three and arguably close to ten songs everyone knows. And most underrated aspect of all, they were original as original can be and absolutely hilarious from start to finish.

[@dogirl8639]

Intergalactic is dope af. There is no disagreeing on that.

[@tinamarie2121]

It will always be one of my favorites...and I will always still giggle to myself when I hear it because when it came out there was a printer in my office that was acting up that sounded JUST LIKE part of the beats in the song. My friend Chuck and I would shout lyrics when the printer would make that noise...we were disappointed when it got fixed 🤣

[@alexandras.3782]

Much respect! Couldn't agree more. The Beasties were everything and more. There will never be another group like that ever again.

[@MisterOhms]

Nope.. There will never be another group that adds up to what the BBoys did..

[@BayleyBlake]

When MCA passed, I did a month long Beasties only musical pilgrimage and fell in love with them all over again. Legends! G.O.A.T. is a solid call.

[@GABADA]

I am an old grandma. I absolutely love the BEASTIE BOYS. i HAVE LISTENED TO THEM FOR 30 years and find them one of the best, if not the best, groups EVER. Keep playing your good stuff and stop wondering if it is the good stuff. BEAUSE IT IS. You guys are the best!!!

[@tarantulagirl]

Hell yeah. I’m gonna be a Beastie Grandma, too! Much respect to you. The Beastie Boys were the first band I ever taught my daughter to love.

[@jammabubbly522]

I'm a Grandad and still a MASSIVE fan to this day,R.I.P MCA 🙏❤️

[@darklink0424]

Next do Brockhampton: Greatest Boyband Of All Time.

[@thatchadlmiller]

Paul's Boutique is a masterpiece

[@23000tc]

it is a masterpiece that will live on forever

[@illuminahde]

what's another word for pirate treasure?

[@LukeCops]

@@illuminahde swag :)

[@chuckwilliam4746]

Booty

[@craigpatrick1]

I just rebought the first 3 albums on vinyl Check Your Head is incredible!!!!

[@erikfincher5011]

Dude, i am blown away by how honest and unfiltered your presentation was. We need MORE of this in everyday life. I have massive respect for you sir. I learned a lot and i lived thru all of it. I have a unique perspective as i was and still am into metal and hard rock. So of course i rejected the beastie boys when i first saw them on mtv with fight. They won me over the first time i heard so what'cha want with that SLAMMIN BEAT. THAT SHIT IS COLD BLOODED AND MURDEROUS. HARDCORE. THEN i started looking into them. Proving that staying true to your creatiave side and true to yourself will get you everywhere. At the end of the day all that matters is how comfortable we are in our own skin. Regardless of something so stupidly inconsequential as pigment. Mad respect. Cheers

[@PoppaGrande333]

AGREE 100% ... I definitely feel they are also the most underrated ever!!

[@gunrok1779]

Beastie Boys are my favorite of all time. Paul's Boutique changed my life!!

[@jonnyglue]

Excellent video! It's incredibly hard to overstate the massive influence the Beasties have had across genres. One such area that does not get mentioned here is that of gangsta rap. When I was in high school, a friend tried to convince me that the Beastie Boys invented gangsta rap, citing Paul Revere, etc. I thought he was crazy, but if you listen to Ice Cube's first group, CIA, or notice the Beastie vocal sample in NWA's debut joint, Boyz n tha Hood, it seems the Brothers Beastie were indeed an influence on the pioneers of that genre.

[@chopydave]

Lmao that you say this! In the beastie boys book adrock swears Paul revere was the first gangsta rap song since it was all about violence, and that no rap song before that was about violence lol!

[@futuregohan4837]

@@chopydave Ad-Rock Obviously Hasn't Heard Ice Cube

[@AZMTECH]

WOW Just listened to it. Incredible, the influence shouts at your face

[@Keatron3]

Future Gohan Ice cube was after the beastie boys though

[@Anyextee]

Well done Murs on this unbiased and objective approach to the Beastie Boys. I couldn't agree more.

[@heswift]

Freaking love this I’m a black dude always put my black artists first but the Beasties are freaking AMAZING! One of the top 5 hip hop groups all time and one of the best musical groups period! RIP to my favorite Beastie MCA!

[@RuggedElefont]

Hal Solo they in the top 25 and I can't think of 25 hip hop groups

[@dylangruenwald6999]

I'm a white guy and you gotta take this L. I disagree. Beastie Boys are trash. This is my top 40 hip hop list all time I judge my list based off lyrical content, flow, charisma, storytelling, integration of jazzy/soulful vibes, and impact on culture and music 1.) Jay Z 2.) Andre 3000 3.) Tupac 4.) Eminem 5.) Nas 6.) Biggie Smalls 7.) Rakim 8.) Kanye West 9.) Kendrick Lamar 10.) J. Cole 11.) Lil Wayne 12.) Scarface 13.) Black Thought 14.) DMX 15.) LL Cool J 16.) Lupe Fiasco 17.) Jadakiss 18.) Ghostface Killah 19.) Ice Cube 20.) Lauryn Hill The rest of the 20(no exact order): 50 Cent, Missy Elliot, Common, Snoop Dog, Twista, KRS One, Big Pun, The Game, Ludacris, Mos Def, Busta Rhymes, Chance the Rapper, Bun B, Prodigy, Drake, Rapsody, MF Doom, Big Boi, Big K.R.I.T., Royce da 5'9" Greatest Hip Hop groups/duos all time 1.) Outkast 2.) Eric B. and Rakim 3.) Wu Tang Clan 4.) NWA 5.) The Roots Greatest Hip Hop Album All Time: Jay Z- Blueprint Greatest Hip Hop Song All Time: Outkast: Aquemini Greatest Hip Hop Diss Track All Time: Takeover My top 10 favorite emcees: Jay Z, Nas, Andre 3000, Biggie Smalls, Mos Def, Chance the Rapper, Common, Drake, Kanye West, J. Cole

[@georgebelmonte8522]

Now I’m a white dude always put my white artists first but Kendrick is freaking amazing!

[@dylangruenwald6999]

George Belmonte Hal Solo I'm actually loving these comments of positivity. It's actually beautiful man. It's beautiful that the power music, sports, etc, holds.

[@dylangruenwald6999]

def creator You clearly don't know Hip Hop. You probably bump Lil Yachty and Migos lmaooo Jay Z overall is just the perfect emcee for me with his impact on the culture with putting on J. Cole, Kanye West, etc.... Then sometimes him writing for other emcees like Dr. Dre and em. Then with his great beat selection on his albums and always having better producers than Nas(like No I.D., Kanye West, Eminem, etc), his unpredictable wordplay(shown on Blueprint), breathtaking jaw dropping flow, etc. 4:44 was actually a better rap album than DAMN and should have won Rap Album of the Year then Kendrick Lamar should have won Album of the Year since he's a better artist I think though than Jay Z overall. Charlemagne, Joe Budden, etc would all disagree with you btw. As for the T.I. thing, that's preference I guess with you.

[@aldohernandez560]

I'd be interested a breakdown on the relationship between hip hop and punk

[@JulianIsAnthony]

Aldo Hernandez I agree. This would be especially interesting as I see hip hop replacing punk as the go to DIY genre for this generation. SoundCloud rappers are the new punks in that sense. Also, I’m not saying punk was killed by hip hop or that the genre has no place, but I see that they have a similar barrier of entry, with hip hop definitely having more participants in this day and age.

[@ducediablo]

Evolution of Hip Hop on Netflix talks about it a good bit. They've always had a close relationship. Punk venues were the first to let hip hop artists and scratchers, and groups like Afrikan Bambaata perform. They may be very musically and culturally different (black v white), but at their very core both Punk and Hip Hop are counter culture and anti-eatablishment.

[@rosasparks9978]

and they put Biz Markie singing Bennie and Jets on an album and it's my hold music lmaooo

[@TheLexiconDevils]

I put it on my answering machine back then

[@mattmanyam]

@@TheLexiconDevils with the echo??

[@TonyVazquez8265]

I was browsing youtube and stumbled upon THIS... All of This! I don't think there will ever be another rap group like the Beastie Boys. But, if So, I hope the next group will treat Hip-Hop with all the love and respect as the Beasties did. And THIS documentary needs to be archived in the Hall Of Fame, hands Down! Preach it Brother!

[@tommygoat5478]

Incredible how the Beastie Boys made mid 80's rap style sound good through out their entire career. I always considered MCA to have one the best rap voices of all time... RIP

[@beastieblake44]

Beastie Boys are my favorite group (as you can tell by the name)... the thing that got me to love their music was if you listen to each album they all sound completely different from each other while staying true to themselves. RIP MCA

[@thepoeticbutcher3370]

beastieblake44 ....he was my fav out the group.

[@yar7707]

I grew up on beastie boys yeah they always changed up there sound. And played instruments. Did something different. One of my favorites

[@GreyJ47]

A breakdown on Common would be sick. To me he has one of the most consistent discographies in hip hop

[@johnprosser5035]

The Beatles of Hip Hop.... Was lucky enough to see them live 4 times.... The 1st in London in 86 on the Raising Hell tour.... The last at their book launch in London.... But missing the Legend Yauch.... Rest in peace! We miss you

[@DimitriNakos]

I grew up on Beastie Boys and Wu-Tang because my sisters are 10 years older than me. I'm so thankful for this because it opened me up to even more hip hop as i grew up. Love me some Beastie Boys!

[@johnmartin972]

Fantastic video. I'm coming into this with no knowledge and that was a well written, well researched, and balanced piece. Well done!

[@longbeachcomedy4481]

LOVE your work on these mini-docs. I would watch an hour of your deep dives

[@farmonious420]

Great Vid. Beastie's always have a place in my heart for being one of the first albums i ever listened to.

[@lordshitshorts8510]

This was just major truth 💯 if u disagree you need to go do your homework and ease up on the hate. Like Lord Jamar said , white people are guest in the house of hip-hop, well Beastie boys showed nothing but respect, paid dues, paid homage, and contributed to hip hop 100 fold. Beastie boys stay in my top favorite and stay in heavy rotation in my household

[@allstar930]

Paul's Boutique is life!

[@davidjaxontartaglia8]

No one man destroyed the scene quite like LL Cool J did. I was 14 and NEVER heard anything so brave and rebellious. "Radio" gave my brain an instant hard-on. Imagine hearing that powerful sh*t for the first time? A life-changing, & mind-blowing experience. He brought it with thunder, he brought that heavyweight sound that Bambaataa would detonate from ground zero. Only Rakim would come close to LL's legendary bars (In the "beginning"- The genesis of all that would come thereafter.) But then.... LL went softer after his beef with Kool Moe D. And Erik B. & Rakim never translated to the masses? Suburban white kids. As a group...? I think that even the remaining Beasties would defer to Run DMC as the greatest "Group" of all time. That being said. The Beastie Boys did more over a longer period of time, and like MURS stated, covered so much of the Musical Globe. It was more genius than most greatest.

[@jaredstanley7232]

When you put it that way i can't help but agree. The thing i loved about these guys is they just did whatever the hell they wanted. i respect that.