Iconic and popular songs by the Beastie Boys
Let me introduce some tracks by the Beastie Boys, a music group that was signed to the legendary hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings.
Although the Beastie Boys primarily operated as a rap unit, they originally formed as a hardcore punk band.
Because of that origin, many of their songs strongly feature rapcore elements, blending punk with hip-hop.
Their debut album became the first hip-hop album to reach number one on the Billboard charts, and they are often said to have ‘brought hip-hop to the suburbs.
‘ They had a major impact not only on the hip-hop scene but also on the rock scene.
Let’s look back on the Beastie Boys’ music with this playlist.
- Beastie Boys Popular Songs Ranking [2025]
- Beginner’s Guide to the Beach Boys: Best and Most Popular Songs
- The Beach Boys Popular Song Rankings [2025]
- [Western music] Classic upbeat hip-hop tracks
- Western pop music popular with Gen Z. Hit songs.
- [Western Music] Hardcore Punk Masterpieces and Popular Songs – Beginner’s Guide
- [US] Great Hip-Hop Classic
- RUN-DMC's Most Popular Songs Ranking [2025]
- [Hip-Hop Classics] Timeless HIPHOP / Golden Oldies
- [Western Music] A landmark masterpiece in hip-hop history! A fundamental album you should know
- A Guide to Western Rap: Introducing Legendary Classics
- Classic punk songs from Western music. Recommended popular tracks.
- Western Music: A Collection of Iconic Big Beat Tracks (Great for Rock Fans Too)
Beastie Boys’ Greatest and Most Popular Songs (21–30)
UniteBeastie Boys
There’s a playful essence mixed into the coolness of the Beasties’ sound.
This track in particular is full of that essence! Fans can’t get enough of this sense of humor.
It’s a laid-back, quintessentially Beastie tune.
Root DownBeastie Boys
The rhythm section of the bass and drums in this track is insanely cool! This is what groove is all about.
Then you’ve got the wah guitar on top.
None of the parts overstate themselves, but when those three are mixed together, you get an unbelievable track.
And I’m also impressed by how they make the phrase “Root Down,” which is the title, sound so stylish.
Fight for your Right (to Party)Beastie Boys
New York’s mavericks of the hip-hop scene, the Beastie Boys.
This track is their signature song and biggest hit.
The guitar riff is so famous that it could really hype up a live performance or even serve as exciting background music at a school festival.
Off the GridBeastie Boys
It’s an instrumental track included on the album The Mix-Up.
The mysterious atmosphere that wafts through the piece evokes various eras and styles—at times like late-1980s new wave, at others like early-1990s garage punk, and even like early-1970s psychedelic rock—coming together into a song that reveals many different faces.
The Rat CageBeastie Boys
It’s an instrumental track, but it’s just incredibly cool.
The instrumentation is very simple, and the phrases each instrument plays are simple too, but you can really feel the attention to the tones.
The bass sounds so intimate you can almost hear the player’s breath, the drums have a pleasant room ambience, and the guitar has a slightly lo-fi, cheap-ish vibe.
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It’s a track that’s truly satisfying to listen to!
Triple TroubleBeastie Boys
Speaking of their music videos, I always picture fisheye lenses and overalls, and this song is exactly that vibe! The songs they “scheme” rather than just make are always packed with fresh ideas.
As the title suggests, they’re troublemakers—in the best possible way!
Electric WormBeastie Boys
This is a track from the Beastie Boys’ 2007 album The Mix-Up.
The album is instrumental, and it’s the kind that can get seriously addictive.
When you think of the Beastie Boys, some people might imagine music that cranks your energy way up, but doesn’t this song remind you just how incredible they are as artists?