The Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch

In 1985, New York punk rockers The Beastie Boys moved from the post-punk music underground to sign with Def Jam Records. In 1986, they hit it big with "Licensed to Ill," and became the first white rap group to make it big in hip hop. And they just got bigger.

Beastie Boys' bassist Adam Yauch, a.k.a MCA, has been at the heart of the band from the beginning, and has reached out to political activism, and filmmaking. While The Beastie Boys have racked up critical acclaim for their cutting-edge music, Adam Yauch's been wielding a camera and editing board on the side.

Now, he's out with a new film that follows the country's tip top high school basketball stars "Gunnin' for That #1 Spot."

Listen to an On Point conversation with Beastie Boy Adam Yauch on life, music, video, and hoops.

Are you a Beastie Boys fan? Can you see why Adam Yauch would take his camera to the basketball court?

Comments: 2

Adam Zand Jul 17, 2008, 12:29pm UTC

Not sure if anyone is on Gather for Adam Yauch. Nice to ask him a question about hoop movies, but I wanted to share a concert memory. 1998, July - I 'm in France for my MBA and for the World Cup. I train in from Reims (taking a break from dancing and champagne drinking) to see Beasties at The Olympia on day "Hello Nasty" is released in Europe. I make it in late on a scalped ticket, missed Money Mark :(, but got to front row immediately. One of the punk rock highlights was cover of Billy Joel's "Big Shot." I think I was one of the few in the audience who got the joke! Here's a goofy picture of me during today's show: http://www.utterz.com/u/utt/u-NTExMjE2NA#uttNTExMjE2NA

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James M. Jul 17, 2008, 7:41pm UTC

I have a cd of the show they did in Cologne and they opened with that "tribute" to Billy joel. Hilarious.

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The Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch

Comments: 2

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