Formed in New York in the early 1980s, Beastie Boys was an American group made up of Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock. Originally part of the hardcore punk scene, the trio soon turned toward hip-hop and developed a distinctive sound blending rap, rock, punk, funk and sampling. With landmark albums such as Licensed to Ill, Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head and Ill Communication, Beastie Boys became one of the most influential and unconventional groups in hip-hop history.