2023, New York: Adam Horowitz and Michael Diamond from the Beastie Boys with New York City Councilman Christopher Marte
Photo: AFP via Getty Images, ADAM GRAY. All rights reserved.
In 1989, the Beastie Boys released their second studio album, Paul’s Boutique. The cover of the record shows the fictional store, at the intersection of Ludlow and Rivington on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. The work of the New York native was nowhere near as successful as her first album “Licensed To Ill”. Nevertheless, the cover was never forgotten.
Almost 35 years after the record’s release, the intersection in question was renamed Beastie Boys Square on Saturday (September 9th). After the renaming petition was rejected by a New York City council in the past, the fan community received official confirmation in 2022.
Numerous fans flocked to the block that day and gathered in front of the small stage where Ad-Rock and Mike D thanked the city in which they grew up.
“Thanks [an New York]“that you taught us what to watch, what to listen to, what to wear, how to love and how to live,” Ad-Rock explained. “It makes me really happy to know that in 50 years some kid on the way to school will look up and say, What the hell is a Beastie Boy? Why do they have an intersection?”
City Councilor Christopher Marte also commented on the decision. “As many of us know, the Beastie Boys changed hip-hop when they became part of the scene,” said the politician as he officially confirmed Beastie Boys Square. “I see it as a celebration. A celebration of the Lower East Side, a celebration of hip hop, and most of all, a celebration of our community that has long been committed to making this happen.”
Most recently, a vinyl reissue of her fifth studio album “Hello Nasty” was released. To celebrate the record’s 25th anniversary, the box set includes a book and 21 bonus tracks with rarities, B-sides and remixes.