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A panoramic experience that tells the story of Beastie Boys, a book as unique as the band itself-by band members AD-ROCK and Mike D, with contributions from Amy Poehler, Colson Whitehead, Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, Luc Sante, and more.

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Formed as a New York City hardcore band in 1981, Beastie Boys struck an unlikely path to global hip hop superstardom. Here is their story, told for the first time in the words of the band. Adam "AD-ROCK" Horovitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond offer revealing and very funny accounts of their transition from teenage punks to budding rappers; their early collaboration with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin; the almost impossible-to-fathom overnight success of their debut studio album Licensed to Ill; that album´s messy fallout; their break with Def Jam, move to Los Angeles, and rebirth as musicians and social activists, with the genre-defying masterpiece Paul´s Boutique. For more than twenty years, this band has had a wide-ranging and lasting influence on popular culture.

With a style as distinctive and eclectic as a Beastie Boys album, Beastie Boys Book upends the typical music memoir. Alongside the band narrative you will find rare photos, original illustrations, a cookbook by chef Roy Choi, a graphic novel, a map of Beastie Boys´ New York, mixtape playlists, pieces by guest contributors, and many more surprises.

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It´s heaven and the photography is sensational. Lauren Laverne

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Beastie Boys is a trio consisting of Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "AD-ROCK" Horovitz, and Adam "MCA" Yauch (1964-2012), formed in 1981 as part of New York´s hardcore punk underground. The group´s first full-length album, Licensed to Ill, was the first rap album to reach #1. With seven platinum albums from 1986 to 2004, including Licensed to Ill, Paul´s Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication, Hello Nasty, and To the 5 Boroughs, Beastie Boys are one of the longest-lived hip hop acts worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

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