HIP-HOP AT 50: BEASTIES SQUARED

Beastie Boys Square was finally made a reality on Saturday (9/9) more than 10 years after a petition was filed to rename the Manhattan intersection of Ludlow and Rivington—where the Beasties shot the cover of 1989 landmark Paul's Boutique—after Mike D, Ad-Rock and MCA.

Beastie Boys enthusiasts flooded the area to watch the surviving members of the trio, Mike D and Ad-Rock, unveil the sign commemorating their legendary career. The pair paid tribute to the city that raised them while addressing the crowd, which included Def Jam's first creative director, Cey Adams, Beastie Boys collaborator Money Mark and former Tommy Boy Records A&R Dante Ross.

“Thank you [to New York] for teaching us what to look at, what to listen to, what to wear, how to love, how to live,” Ad-Rock said. “Thank you, New York, thank you... It makes me really happy to know that some kid on the way to school 50 years from now is gonna pass by this and look up and say, ‘What the fuck is a Beastie Boy? Why do they get a square?'"

Mike D added, "We could not have ever become what we became without growing up in New York City... For [Ad-Rock] and I, and of course MCA/Adam Yauch, when we were all kids, the second we heard rap music, it was so revolutionary and so exciting."

Fans launched a campaign to rename the intersection in honor of the Beastie Boys following the 2012 death of MCA. The initiative finally received approval from the New York City Council last year. Now, if you'll excuse us, we must continue our fight for the right to party.

Beastie Boys' Mike D and Ad-Rock spoke at the unveiling of Beastie Boys Square at the intersection of Ludlow and Rivington in NYC on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/s0JheQtSpb

— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) September 9, 2023