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."
The New Style
Beastie Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Center stage on the mic
And we puttin' it on wax
It's the new style
Four and three and two and one (what up!)
And when I'm on the mic the suckers run (word!)
Down with Ad-Rock and Mike D. and you ain't
Got rhymes that are rough and rhymes that are slick
I'm not surprised you're on my dick
B-E-A-S-T-I-E, what up Mike D.
Ah yeah, that's me
I got franks and pork and beans
Always bust the new routines
I get it, I got it, I know it's good
The rhymes I write, you wish you would
I'm never in training, my voice is not straining
People always biting and I'm sick of complaining
So I went into the locker room during classes
Went into your locker and I smashed your glasses
You're from Secausus, I'm from Manhattan
You're jealous of me because your girlfriend is cattin'
There it is
Kick it!
Father to many, married to none
And in case you're unaware I carry a gun (word)
Stepped into the party, the place was over packed
Saw the kid that dissed my homeboy and shot him in the back
Man, I had to get a beeper 'cause my phone is tapped
You better keep your mouth shut 'cause I'm fully strapped
I got money in the bank, I can still get high
That's why your girlfriend thinks that I'm so fly
I've got money and juice, twin sisters in my bed
Their father had envy, so I shot him in the head
If I played guitar I'd be Jimmy Page
The girlies I like are underage (shh! Check it!)
Girls with boyfriends are the kinds I like
I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike
My father, he's jealous 'cause I'm making that green (what up?)
I've got a list of girlies numbers from the places I've been
There it is
Kick it!
You wanna know why, because I'm
October 31st, that is my date of birth
I got to the party and you know what I did? The Smurf
Taxing all females from coast to coast
And when I get my fill I'm chilly most
We rag-tag girlies back at the hotel
And then we all switch places when I ring the bell
I chill at White Castle 'cause it's the best
But I'm fly at Fat Burger, (when he's) when I way out west (check it!)
K-I-N-G-A-D, whammy
All the fine ladies, they're on my jammy
Went to the prom, wore the fly blue rental
Got six girlies in my Lincoln Continental
I met a girl at the party and she started to flirt
I told her some rhymes and she pulled up her skirt
Spent some bank, I got a high powered jumbo
Rolled up the wooly , (what he do?) and I watched Colombo
Let me clear my throat
Kick it over here baby pop
And let all the fly skimmies
Feel the beat
Hmm, drop
Coolin' on the corner on a hot summer's day
Just me, my posse and M.C.A.
A lot of beer, a lot of girls and a lot of cursing
.22 automatic on my person
Got my hand in my pocket and my finger's on the trigger
My posse's gettin' big and my posse's gettin' bigger
Some voices got treble, some voices got bass
We got the kind of voices that are in your face
Like the bun to the burger, like the burger to the bun
Like the cherry to the apple, to the peach to the plum
I'm the king of the Ave., and I'm the king of the block
Well, I'm M.C.A., and I'm the King Ad-Rock
Well, I'm Mike D., I got all the fly juice
On the checkin' at the party on the Forty Deuce
Walking down the block with the fresh fly threads
Beastie Boys fly the biggest heads
The first two lines of The New Style by the Beastie Boys announce the arrival of the group on the music scene. They declare that they're here and ready to "puttin' it on wax" with their "new style." The style in question borrows somewhat from aspects of hip hop, but also includes rock and funk influences that are already paving the way for the birth of a new genre of music--rap rock. The lyrics reference the Beastie Boys' love of wordplay and rhyming, as well as their gleeful irreverence for authority and the establishment.
Throughout the song, the Beastie Boys employ humor, aggression, and even violence to convey their message. They boast about their skills on the microphone, deconstruct hip hop stereotypes, and make references to their sex life, their wealth, and their sheer power. The lyrics are playful overall, and the tight rhyming combined with the catchy beat ensure that The New Style remains a classic Beastie Boys hit to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
And on the cool check in
Introducing ourselves in a cool manner
Center stage on the mic
Performing on stage and taking control of the microphone
And we puttin' it on wax
Recording our music onto vinyl records
It's the new style
Our music style is innovative and fresh
Four and three and two and one (what up!)
Counting down before beginning our performance
And when I'm on the mic the suckers run (word!)
Our rhymes and style are so influential that imitators run away from us
Down with Ad-Rock and Mike D. and you ain't
We're a group consisting of Ad-Rock, Mike D, and the listener is not a part of our team
And I got more juice than Picasso got paint
My rhymes are superior and plentiful, like Picasso’s supply of paint
Got rhymes that are rough and rhymes that are slick
We have a variety of rhymes, from the raw to the polished
I'm not surprised you're on my dick
We are so popular and successful that people are constantly following us
B-E-A-S-T-I-E, what up Mike D.
Spelling the Beastie Boys while asking Mike D how he’s doing
Ah yeah, that's me
Confirming that Mike D is indeed present
I got franks and pork and beans
We can provide you with delicacies like hot dogs and beans
Always bust the new routines
We consistently come up with new dance and performance moves
I get it, I got it, I know it's good
We understand and are confident in our own abilities and performances
The rhymes I write, you wish you would
Our rhymes are so good, everyone wishes they could write like us
I'm never in training, my voice is not straining
I don’t need to practice and strain my voice because I’m naturally good at rapping
People always biting and I'm sick of complaining
Others are constantly copying our style, and we’re tired of complaining about it
So I went into the locker room during classes
I went to someone’s locker while they were in class
Went into your locker and I smashed your glasses
I vandalized someone’s locker and broke their glasses
You're from Secaucus, I'm from Manhattan
Comparing our hometowns, with Manhattan being superior
You're jealous of me because your girlfriend is cattin'
The listener is jealous of us because their girlfriend is flirting with us
Father to many, married to none
We have many fans and followers but are not committed to any one person or group
And in case you're unaware I carry a gun (word)
Informing the listener that we carry a gun for personal protection
Stepped into the party, the place was over packed
Arriving at a crowded party/event venue
Saw the kid that dissed my homeboy and shot him in the back
Witnessing someone who insulted my friend getting shot from behind
Man, I had to get a beeper 'cause my phone is tapped
Getting a pager because my phone is being monitored
You better keep your mouth shut 'cause I'm fully strapped
Warning someone to not talk negatively about us because we’re armed
I got money in the bank, I can still get high
Despite having financial security, we still indulge in drugs
That's why your girlfriend thinks that I'm so fly
The listener’s girlfriend finds us attractive because of our fame and money
I've got money and juice, twin sisters in my bed
We have financial power and romantic involvement with two sisters
Their father had envy, so I shot him in the head
Killing the two sisters’ father out of jealousy
If I played guitar I'd be Jimmy Page
If we played guitar, we’d be as skilled as Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin
The girlies I like are underage (shh! Check it!)
We’re interested in younger girls despite the social taboo
Girls with boyfriends are the kinds I like
We’re interested in girls who have boyfriends
I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike
We’ll take someone’s girlfriend like we took someone’s bike
My father, he's jealous 'cause I'm making that green (what up?)
Our dads are envious of our financial success
I've got a list of girlies numbers from the places I've been
We keep a list of numbers from girls we’ve met on tour
You wanna know why, because I'm
Introducing ourselves because of our notable qualities
October 31st, that is my date of birth
Our birthday is October 31st
I got to the party and you know what I did? The Smurf
We danced to The Smurf at a party
Taxing all females from coast to coast
We get romantic interest from women across the country
And when I get my fill I'm chilly most
We lose interest in women easily after getting physical with them
We rag-tag girlies back at the hotel
We bring a variety of girls back to our hotel
And then we all switch places when I ring the bell
We engage in sexual activity together
I chill at White Castle 'cause it's the best
We enjoy eating at White Castle fast food restaurants
But I'm fly at Fat Burger, (when he's) when I way out west (check it!)
We prefer Fat Burger when we’re on the west coast
K-I-N-G-A-D, whammy
Spelling out the name King Ad and adding emphasis
All the fine ladies, they're on my jammy
Attracting attention from attractive women
Went to the prom, wore the fly blue rental
Attending prom in style and wearing a popular outfit
Got six girlies in my Lincoln Continental
Bringing six girls with us in our luxury Lincoln Continental car
I met a girl at the party and she started to flirt
We flirted with a girl we met at the party
I told her some rhymes and she pulled up her skirt
We used our rhymes to successfully seduce the girl
Spent some bank, I got a high powered jumbo
We purchased an expensive gun
Rolled up the wooly , (what he do?) and I watched Colombo
Smoking a blunt while watching the TV show Columbo
Let me clear my throat
Clearing our throat before beginning again
Kick it over here baby pop
Referring to someone and telling them to begin or continue
And let all the fly skimmies
Addressing the audience and attractive women
Feel the beat
Encouraging people to move and feel the rhythm
Hmm, drop
Finishing with a subtle and abrupt note
Coolin' on the corner on a hot summer's day
Relaxing outside on a hot day with friends
Just me, my posse and M.C.A.
Being with our group and M.C.A. specifically
A lot of beer, a lot of girls and a lot of cursing
Drinking and swearing with lots of women around
.22 automatic on my person
Carrying a small, easily-concealed gun
Got my hand in my pocket and my finger's on the trigger
Holding the gun with my hand in my pocket and finger on the trigger
My posse's gettin' big and my posse's gettin' bigger
Our group is expanding and becoming more popular
Some voices got treble, some voices got bass
Pointing out the variety in people’s voices
We got the kind of voices that are in your face
Our voices are confident and arresting
Like the bun to the burger, like the burger to the bun
Comparing our group members’ relationship to that of a burger’s components
Like the cherry to the apple, to the peach to the plum
Continuing the previous comparison with different fruits
I'm the king of the Ave., and I'm the king of the block
Declaring ourselves the king of our street and neighborhood
Well, I'm M.C.A., and I'm the King Ad-Rock
Naming ourselves and Ad-Rock as co-kings
Well, I'm Mike D., I got all the fly juice
Introducing Mike D and his charm and style with women
On the checkin' at the party on the Forty Deuce
Being present and recognized at an event in New York City’s Times Square
Walking down the block with the fresh fly threads
Stylishly walking down the street
Beastie Boys fly the biggest heads
The Beastie Boys have the most fans and followers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Horowitz, Adam Yauch, Michael Diamond, Rick Rubin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nestor Galaviz
on Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim remix)
dope