The Beastie Boys were an American rap group formed in New York City in 1981. The group consisted of Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Michael “Mike D” Diamond. The Beastie Boys were one of the first successful white rap groups and were known for their energetic live shows and their blend of hip-hop, punk, and funk. They released their debut album, “Licensed to Ill,” in 1986, which became the first rap album to top the Billboard charts. The group went on to release a number of other successful albums, including “Paul’s Boutique,” “Check Your Head,” and “Hello Nasty,” which earned them critical acclaim and several Grammy Awards. The Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Yauch passed away in 2012, but Horovitz and Diamond continue to perform and record music.