Beastie Boys

American hip-hop group formed in New York City in 1979 as a hardcore punk band, transitioning to hip-hop in 1983-1984. Final lineup: Mike D (Michael Diamond), Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz), and MCA (Adam Yauch). The first commercially successful hip-hop group with three white MCs.

Licensed to Ill (1986) was the first rap album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200. The pivot to sample-heavy production on Paul's Boutique (1989) was a critical landmark; subsequent albums Check Your Head (1992), Ill Communication (1994), and Hello Nasty (1998) cemented their status as rap-rock fusion pioneers. MCA died of cancer in 2012, ending the group. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.