The Beastie Boys' 1986 debut Licensed to Ill was the first rap record to top Billboard's Hot 200, earned Diamond status, and introduced the world to the New York City rap rockers. The mesh of rap and rock was innovative on its own, but a track like "Girls" stands out because it wasn't even a true rap song. It's almost like a nursery rhyme set to music, but with more mature content — one we'd travel from "White Castle to the Nile" to hear.

On the group's third studio album, Check Your Head (1992), the Beastie Boys further showed off their musical maturity. Less sampling, they took more of a hands-on approach when it came to said musicianship. Now, "Pass the Mic," the first single from the album, featured that old-school Beasties' vibe and reminded us that MCA, Mike D, and Ad-Rock were still more than capable MCs, even while experimenting with their overall sound. The song, however, was not without controversy, due to its sampling of jazz great James Newton's piece "Choir."

From the Beastie Boys eighth and final studio album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011). The rap is probably best known for featuring Nas. The track earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The Beastie Boys were never really known for collaborations like this, but this is certainly one that remains a highlight of the group's catalog.

Complete with some Led Zeppelin sampling, "She's Crafty" is an underrated gem from Licensed to Ill. The track is an example of the band's raw potential, especially when it came to actual rapping, and the unabashed celebration of youthful exuberance that was evident throughout the Beastie Boys' highly celebrated debut album. The music video was also representative of that.

There's a good chance those who listen to music, spanning various generations, have become acquainted with this rap rock anthem at some point. It wasn't the first single released off Licensed to Ill, but it's arguably the song most associated with the Beasties. It was a mainstream radio smash, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and a track that a good chunk of rock fans and rap fans alike could come together in appreciation. Oh yeah, the music video is pretty iconic as well. 

Another Licensed to Ill classic, and one track that quickly rolls off the tongue when discussing the band's catalog — especially when it comes to casual fans of the group. The Beastie Boys' tribute to a concocted alcoholic drink, and apparently one that is used to attract females. At least that's plan. While the band would go on to refine its sound and showcase its overall musicianship, it's important to look back and appreciate where it all began.

The kick-off track to Check Your Head comes complete with a psychedelic vibe. It's an obvious tribute to the legendary Jimi Hendrix, whose image appears in the tune's video, which was co-directed by Adam Yauch (often credited under his alter ego Nathanial Hörnblowér). "Jimmy James" stays true to the Beastie Boys' penchant for rap rock, but in a more refined and cleaner approach from what we heard on similar tracks from Licensed to Ill. 

Though not nearly as commercially successful as the Beasties' debut Licensed to Ill, their follow-up Paul's Boutique (1989) grew to be considered the gem of the band's catalog from a critical standpoint. Both the content and sound matured on an album that's full of samples. "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" is a harder, somewhat darker Paul's Boutique deep cut that takes from Pink Floyd's "Time" and "Mississippi Queen," the Mountain classic rock. For casual fans of the famed trio, it's worth going out of the way for a listen.

Sticking with Paul's Boutique, "Hey Ladies" was the only single from the album to chart, reaching No. 36 on Billboard's Hot 100. That made sense, since it fell in line with something more mainstream off Licensed to Ill. Yet, it's still more refined overall and one of the group's most soulful offerings. The track is loaded with samples, seemingly everything from Kool & the Gang to Deep Purple. Another example of the creativity that was flowing within the Boys.

From the Grammy Award-winning Hello Nasty (1998) album, "Three MC's and One DJ" was released as a double A-side with "Remote Control." However, this is the stronger of the two, and also features Mix Master Mike's Beastie Boys' debut. While the song certainly showcases the DJ's talent, Horovitz, Yauch, and Diamond continue to deliver some high-level rhymes. Clean, direct, and armed with the exceptional flare that proved the trio was collectively getting better with age.

Another standout moment from Paul's Boutique, "Car Thief" is representative of the rap the Beastie Boys strived to make on their sophomore effort: more substance, less commercial focus. Like all but two tracks on the record, this one was never released as a single, but it has that funk vibe that was not uncommon on the album. "Car Thief" also features some of the Beasties' best turntable work during their run to the Hall of Fame.

Here's one Beastie Boys track that's enjoyed an impressive shelf life. Another fine moment from Hello Nasty, "Body Movin'" is a repetitive, catchy number that has endured quite well over the years. While it earned acclaim at the time of its release and spent time on various Billboard charts, the tune remained prominent through the Fatboy Slim remix. The original, and notably the remix, became popular at dance clubs, thus opening the door to a wider audience for the band.

Trekking to Brooklyn has never been more musically entertaining than this trip that the Beastie Boys took us on with this Licensed to Ill favorite. "No Sleep till Brooklyn" is another signature Beasties' song, and one that reinforced that rock and rap can live together and be commercially successful. The guitar riffs and solo is performed by Kerry King from Slayer, which had its stellar Reign in Blood LP produced by Rick Rubin, who was a driving force behind the creation and production of Licensed to Ill.

The opener to 2004's To the 5 Boroughs, it kept the Beastie Boys train rolling. "Ch-Check It Out" became to the first track by a rap or hip hop group to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States. It originally gained popularity after being featured in an episode of CW Hit The O.C, then it earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Adam Yauch directed its memorable character-driven video.

The highlight of Hello Nasty, "Intergalactic" won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. And it hit No. 28 on Billboard's Hot 100. The innovative track provides, perhaps, the best example of the Beastie Boys successfully delivering a type of alternative hip-hop. Here, the Boys shifted even more of the focus to the overall sound of the track while also not dumbing down the lyrics that still remained an underrated aspect of the trio.

The innovation continued on this Check Your Head classic. A top-20 hit on Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks and an MTV favorite, "So What'cha Want," with all it's distortion-filled brilliance, again demonstrates the strides the Beastie Boys were making as versatile entertainers. One thing the trio was always good at is its ability to not overshadow one another. "So What'cha Want" is a prime example of the collective rap talent that somehow seemed an underappreciated part of their legacy.

"Sure Shot" opened 1994's Ill Communication album, which was the band's second to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Another of example of the group's maturity when it came to stylizing its rhymes, while not compromising any attitude, and strong enough to keep churning out more "mad hits like (they were) Rod Carew." The song is also known for featuring a vocal and solid spinning presence of DJ Hurricane. The music video was directed by Spike Jonze (more on him in just a bit), and received heavy daily play on MTV.

Though never released as a single, "Shake Your Rump" is arguably the highlight of Paul's Boutique. It's a track that fans of Licensed to Ill could appreciate, but also, it's a true sign that the Beastie Boys were more than a one-album wonder and had promise going forward. If anything, the trio should be taken seriously as composers, rappers, and musicians. As it turns out, we would be right on all accounts. The rap also made a pleasant appearance on ABC's long-running sitcom The Goldbergs.

When it comes to the true high point of Licensed to Ill, and arguably the best lyrical moment in the group's history, look no further than "Paul Revere." Co-written by Run-DMC's Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels, it's the supposed story, in a rather fictional form, of how the three Beasties met. The rhymes flow perfectly from beginning to end, and the story is quite entertaining. Now, over the years, the band seemed to casually step back from the piece because parts could be perceived as denigrating to women. Yet, it's still one of the most creative moments on the group's legacy.  

The truth about "Sabotage," from Ill Communication, was that it wasn't that much of a commercial hit (not even making the Hot 100). A shame, because the Boys showed off their musical talent with Ad-Rock on vocals and guitar, MCA's memorable bass performance, and Mike D playing the drums. However, once the Spike Jonze-directed video debuted on MTV, it immediately generated massive buzz and popularity. A spoof of those L.A.-based, 1970s cop dramas, the band — and DJ Hurricane — had their fun with this parody short that was nominated for five MTV Video Music Awards (though winning none, and much to the dismay of the aforementioned Nathanial Hornblower). This just might have the peak of the Beasties' creativity.