Beastie Boys

In 1987, their debut album, Licensed To Ill, became the first rap album to hit #1 in the US. It went on to sell over 10 million copies in America; their next four albums sold at least 2 million each.

Early on, they were a hardcore band, but the rapping became the focus of their shows when they started working with producer Rick Rubin. Kate Shellenbach (later of Luscious Jackson) and John Barry were also in the group when they started.

They are from New York City. They are all Jewish, but both Adams are half-jewish, and they never were brought up with religious traditions.