The Beastie Boys were the first successful white rap group and one of the few acts from the early days of hip-hop that still enjoyed major success their whole career. Their rock and punk-influenced rap has had a significant impact on artists both in and outside the hip-hop scene. And they were the first rap group to gain a substantial following with alternative rock fans.
The Beastie Boys came together in 1979 as a punk band called The Young Aborigines. In 1981 MCA joined the group and from the suggestion of their guitarist John Berry, they changed their name to Beastie Boys. Their line up then consisted of Adam Yauch (aka MCA) on bass, drummer Kate Schellenbach (later of Luscious Jackson), guitarist John Berry (of Big Fat Love), and Mike Diamond (aka Mike D) on the mic. Beastie Boys' debut EP, the Pollywog Stew vinyl 7" was released in 1982.
The band's first foray into hip hop, the Cooky Puss 12", followed in 1983, with The Young and the Useless guitarist Adam Horovitz (aka Adrock) replacing John Berry. "Cooky Puss" would be the first B Boys record to receive play at NYC clubs like Danceteria as the band played its first shows outside the city.
The Mike D/MCA/Adrock Beastie Boys lineup debuted in 1984 with the "Rock Hard"/"Beastie Groove" 12." Produced by Rick Rubin, who went on to produce albums for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash and Audioslave. The "She's On It"/ "Slow And Low" 12" followed in 1985 and Beastie Boys went on Madonna's "Virgin Tour." as her opening act.
Licensed to Ill dropped in fall 1986 and became the first Beastie Boys album--and the first Rap album ever--to go #1. Fueled by Fight for Your Right and No Sleep Till Brooklyn it remained at #1 for seven weeks and simultaneously reached #2 on the urban chart, becoming the fastest selling debut to date for Columbia and the first hip hop record to break 5 million.
In 1989 Beastie Boys released their second album Paul’s Boutique produced by Beastie Boys and the Dust Brothers. Paul's Boutique laid down the blueprint for a generation of emergent genres and went over the collective head of a nation. The likes of "Shake Your Rump," "Lookin' Down The Barrel Of A Gun," "Car Thief," Shadrach," and the hip hop "suite" "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" contained lyrical and musical references too plentiful and diverse for the average mind to compute in one sitting.
Check Your Head, released in 1992, heralded the return of live instrumentation into the B Boys mix. The album was produced by the band and Mario Caldato Jr. (who first worked with B Boys as engineer on Paul's Boutique), Check Your Head would yield a watershed of new B Boys staples, including So Whatcha' Want, Pass The Mic, "Gratitude" and "Jimmy James." With the assistance of Keyboard Money Mark, Eric Bobo and assorted percussionists, Beastie Boys returned to the touring circuit and Check Your Head hit double platinum.
In the summer of 1994, Ill Communication, also produced by the band and Mario Caldato Jr., entered the charts #1. The album featured such hits Sure Shot and Sabotage. Ill Communication was supported by Beastie Boys' first arena headline tour since the '80s. Following the tour's conclusion, Beastie Boys recorded and released Aglio e Olio consisting of eight songs clocking in at 11 minutes, the EP recalls the vintage hardcore punk of the band's infancy.
On July 14 1998, their fifth album titled Hello Nasty was released. Spurred by the monster success of the "Intergalactic" single and video, the record clocked first week sales of nearly 700,000 in the U.S. and went straight in at #1 in England, Germany, Australia, Holland, New Zealand and Sweden. Early in the tour, Beastie Boys made live tracks available for free download to fans unable to attend the shows-and were blindsided by their label pulling the tracks down.
Having closed 1998 by accepting the Video Vanguard lifetime achievement honor at the MTV Video Music Awards, Beastie Boys rang in 1999 with Artist, Band and/or Record of the Year accolades from the likes of Rolling Stone, SPIN, The New Yorker and Playboy, among others. A month later, at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, the now quadruple-platinum Hello Nasty took Best Alternative Music Performance, while "Intergalactic," nailed Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group--the first time an artist has ever won in both Rap and Alternative categories.1999 would also see "Intergalactic" take Best Hip Hop Video honors at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.
Beastie Boys' sixth studio album, To The 5 Boroughs, released in summer 2004, was the band's third consecutive #1 debut-and Rolling Stone magazine's only 5-star review of the year. To The 5 Boroughs was supported by world tour - traveling pageant - supported by Talib Kweli and Bob Moore's Amazing Mongrels (yes, a live dog show, hence the pageant appellation).
2006 saw the release of the film, Awesome, I Fuckin' Shot That!, a concert film made up of footage filmed by audience members, which debuted at Sundance in early 2006 and was released theatrically the same year.
In 2007 Beastie Boys released The Mix-Up, first ever full length offering of all-new, all-original instrumental recordings.
On February 3rd, 2009, they digitally remastered and released Paul's Boutique on their website.
The band's next record, "Hot Sauce Committee Part 2" was released in the first quarter of 2011. It features the same tracklisting as the previously announced "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1", which was delayed indefinitely after Yauch was diagnosed with a tumor on his parotid gland (which was successfully removed).
Bassist and vocalist Adam Yauch died on May 4, 2012 of cancer.
In June 2014, Mike D stated that the Beastie Boys would not continue their careers as a group, as a promise to Adam Yauch. "We have not been able to tour since MCA, Adam Yauch, died," Diamond said. "We can't make new music."
Flowin' Prose
Beastie Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm scheming rhyme against reason like it was flow against know
But beyond the concepts and emotions that rise
To the interconnectedness that underlies
The lies upon lies have lost their meaning
The plies upon plies of consciousness that is being
Over and over I fall I learned to walk from a crawl
It's not sad it's just the way and the purpose of it all
Now every word that you heard that I said that you felt
Was put in place in the space as they were shuffled and dealt
I steal feels from reels but I pay my respects
Paying compliments and disses and deciphering affects
Words are water as I court her, as she is pristine
Words and mics fall to dust and all that's left is the feelings
I give in and I win I try to never complain
Intentions venture to center and then they set the stage
But I'll remain sane making gain without pain
Staining trains with names and driving lanes to the refrain
And keep it positive as pains taking as it is
I'll never turn back cause that's the way I've got to live
I'll never turn back cause that's the way I've got to live
I'll never turn back cause that's the way I've got to live
So like a cloud carries rain I'm gonna carry my rhyme
Coming like thunder with lightning timing
No hesitation in gestation of thoughts and plans
Ferment time like wine no ploys or scams
Like the islands dot the oceans in the endless seas
Ideas coming to me in answer to my pleas
Woke up this morning right out of a dream
Reached for my pen and pad because my mind was on a rhyme scheme
What can I do with these bones and flesh?
With these animated thoughts in a world repressed?
I'm going down like the rhythms on the winds of change
I'm keeping calm under pressure like a deep-sea range
I'm flowing prose to cons and cons to pros
I'm like Toucan Sam when I follow my nose
I'm giving shouts to Gandhi, Garvey and King
His Holiness and all enlightened beings
I'll be the one who screams it on the microphone
I'll be the one who brings it inside your home
But the words ain't mine I just pass em along
For Betty Williams and her friends I sing this song
And more ink from my pen and more tears from my eyes
And more crimes are committed as I say these lines
In "Flowin' Prose," the Beastie Boys use their distinctive flow to explore the power of their rhymes and the deep interconnectedness of all things. The lyrics reflect their overarching philosophy of positivity and enlightenment, sprinkled with references to historical figures who embodied those ideals, like Gandhi, Garvey, and Martin Luther King Jr. The song is built on the idea that words and ideas have a life beyond their mere literal meaning and that the true power of language lies in its ability to convey complex emotions and connect people.
The opening lines of the verse show that the Beastie Boys are playing with the idea of opposing concepts: "I'm flowing prose to cons and cons to pros / I'm scheming rhyme against reason like it was flow against know." They go on to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all things and the ways in which ideas and emotions flow together, while also addressing the limitations of language: "The lies upon lies have lost their meaning / The plies upon plies of consciousness that is being / Over and over I fall I learned to walk from a crawl."
The second verse delves further into the power of words and ideas, as well as the role of the artist in conveying them. The Beastie Boys acknowledge the impact of the emotions and feelings that their words evoke, even as they recognize that those feelings are ephemeral and will fade away: "Words and mics fall to dust and all that's left is the feelings." They also express their commitment to staying true to their ideals, even in the face of adversity: "I'll remain sane making gain without pain / Staining trains with names and driving lanes to the refrain / And keep it positive as pains taking as it is / I'll never turn back cause that's the way I've got to live."
Overall, "Flowin' Prose" is a meditation on the power of language and the interconnectedness of all things. It's an introspective song that simultaneously acknowledges the limitations of words and demonstrates their power to bring people together and inspire change.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm flowing prose to cons and cons to pros
I'm manipulating ideas and perspectives, oscillating between arguments both for and against different concepts
I'm scheming rhyme against reason like it was flow against know
I'm using my poetic skills to challenge the validity of logical reasoning, presenting a case for the power and influence of artistic expression
But beyond the concepts and emotions that rise
However, transcending the superficialities of emotions and ideas that may arise
To the interconnectedness that underlies
I aim to portray the subtle yet profound connectedness that lies beneath the surface of our experiences and interactions
The lies upon lies have lost their meaning
The repeated deceptions have become meaningless and insignificant
The plies upon plies of consciousness that is being
The layers of consciousness constantly evolving and transforming
Over and over I fall I learned to walk from a crawl
Despite repeated failures, I learned to develop from a stage of infancy
It's not sad it's just the way and the purpose of it all
It's not a depressing reality; rather, it is simply the natural way of things and the ultimate goal behind such experiences
Now every word that you heard that I said that you felt
Each word that I spoke that made you feel a certain way
Was put in place in the space as they were shuffled and dealt
Were carefully chosen and placed within the context, given the necessary weight and significance for meaningful communication
I steal feels from reels but I pay my respects
I borrow from different sources of inspiration, but acknowledge and appreciate their influence
Paying compliments and disses and deciphering affects
Navigating the complexities of different reactions, from positive comments to insults, and interpreting their impact
Words are water as I court her, as she is pristine
Words are like precious water, and I am carefully crafting them to express their pristine nature
Words and mics fall to dust and all that's left is the feelings
Ultimately, even the words spoken and the microphones used will age and fade away, but the emotional impact they conveyed will remain
I give in and I win I try to never complain
I am willing to accept hardships and challenges, but still strive to succeed without complaining
Intentions venture to center and then they set the stage
My intentions are focused and purposeful, paving the way for the future and setting the tone for action
But I'll remain sane making gain without pain
I will maintain my sanity and make progress without experiencing undue hardship or suffering
Staining trains with names and driving lanes to the refrain
Leaving my mark by naming and creating an identity in different places, setting a path for others to follow
And keep it positive as pains taking as it is
Maintaining a positive outlook no matter how difficult it may be
I'll never turn back cause that's the way I've got to live
I won't give up or go back on my choices, for it is the only way for me to live authentically
So like a cloud carries rain I'm gonna carry my rhyme
Like how a cloud bears rain, I will carry my poetry and expression with me wherever I go
Coming like thunder with lightning timing
My words will make an impact and leave an impression, arriving with precise and impactful timing
No hesitation in gestation of thoughts and plans
I am confident and decisive in developing my ideas and plans
Ferment time like wine no ploys or scams
Like wine, I will let time develop and mature my creations without resorting to tricks or dishonest means
Like the islands dot the oceans in the endless seas
Like how islands are scattered throughout the vast oceans, my ideas and inspirations come from different sources and are diverse in nature
Ideas coming to me in answer to my pleas
I am constantly in search of new ideas and knowledge, and they often come to me through persistence and effort
Woke up this morning right out of a dream
As soon as I woke up this morning, I was struck with inspiration
Reached for my pen and pad because my mind was on a rhyme scheme
I immediately grabbed my tools of expression because I had a specific idea for my poetry
What can I do with these bones and flesh?
I am questioning how I can make the most of my physical body and existence
With these animated thoughts in a world repressed?
Given my imaginative thoughts and ideas, how can I thrive in a world that is often oppressive and suppressive?
I'm going down like the rhythms on the winds of change
I am embracing the inevitable changes of life, and going with the flow like the patterns of weather
I'm keeping calm under pressure like a deep-sea range
I am able to maintain my composure and focus even in the most challenging and high-pressure situations
I'm like Toucan Sam when I follow my nose
Like Toucan Sam from Froot Loops, I trust my instincts and intuition to guide me
I'm giving shouts to Gandhi, Garvey and King
I am paying tribute and praising iconic leaders such as Gandhi, Garvey and King
His Holiness and all enlightened beings
I am also acknowledging and appreciating the wisdom of spiritual leaders and enlightened individuals
I'll be the one who screams it on the microphone
I will be the one who boldly proclaims my message through the medium of music and performance
I'll be the one who brings it inside your home
My words and ideas will resonate with listeners, and even enter their daily lives through different platforms
But the words ain't mine I just pass em along
Though I may be the messenger, the words and ideas themselves are not necessarily my own, but rather part of a larger cultural and artistic tradition
For Betty Williams and her friends I sing this song
This song is dedicated to peace activist Betty Williams and her peers working towards a positive change in society
And more ink from my pen and more tears from my eyes
Expressing my ideas and emotions will require an ongoing effort and commitment, manifesting as more ink and tears
And more crimes are committed as I say these lines
Unfortunately, as I speak out against injustice and social ills, more such crimes and injustices may be committed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM HOROVITZ, ADAM NATHANIEL YAUCH, MARIO CALDATO JR., MICHAEL LOUIS DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nestor Galaviz
on Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim remix)
dope