The Beastie Boys were hit with a lawsuit one day before Adam "MCA" Yauch passed away.
Today in really unfortunate timing: The Beastie Boys have been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit over samples used on Licensed to Ill and Paul's Boutique.
The suit was filed on May 3, the day before Adam "MCA" Yauch passed away. It's obviously extremely unfortunate timing, but hip-hop and R&B label Tuf America is going forward with the case, according to AllHipHop.
Tuf takes issue with a number of the Boys' songs. The suit alleges that "Hold It Now Hit It" and "The New Style" (both off Licensed to Ill) illegally sampled "Drop the Bomb," a 1982 song by Trouble Funk.
The label also claims the Beasties used bits of Funk's "Say What" for "Shadrach," off Paul's.
Capitol Records is also named as a defendant in the suit. There's one big problem with the case -- Tuf is banking on laws that were passed after the release of both albums. The relevant copyright rulings weren't in place until the early '90s, and License to Ill and Paul's Boutique were released in 1986 and 1989, respectively.
Writing on Slate, Matty Yglesias made the argument that an album like Paul's Boutique could never be made under today's copyright and case law. The album is thought to have as many as 300 samples, many that would have been near impossible to secure in today's music industry.
Yauch passed away on May 4 after battling cancer of the salivary gland. A number of prominent musicians have Tweeted their condolences and support for the surviving Boys, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horowitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond.
Coldplay performed a tribute to the fallen legend, covering "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" at the Hollywood Bowl. The Red Hot Chili Peppers -- who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year alongside the Beastie Boys themselves (MCA was unable to attend) -- also incorporated some of the Boys' songs into a recent performance.
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(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)
Music video by The Beastie Boys performing (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party). (C) 1986 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Beastie Boys - Paul Revere (Live 1994)
Beastie Boys perform Paul Revere Live (1994).
Intergalactic
Music video by The Beastie Boys performing Intergalactic. (C) 2009 Capitol Records, LLC
So What Cha Want
Music video by The Beastie Boys performing So What Cha Want. (C) 2009 Capitol Records, LLC
Three MC's and One DJ
Music video by The Beastie Boys performing Three MC's and One DJ. (C) 2009 Capitol Records, LLC
Sure Shot
Music video by The Beastie Boys performing Sure Shot. (C) 2009 Capitol Records, LLC
No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Music video by The Beastie Boys performing No Sleep Till Brooklyn. (C) 1986 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Sabotage
Music video by The Beastie Boys performing Sabotage. (C) 2009 Capitol Records, LLC
Brass Monkey
Music video by Beastie Boys performing Brass Monkey (Live At Madison Square Garden).
Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise
The 5 minute video of "Make Some Noise" the first single from Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. For more information visit beastieboys.com twitter.com or facebook.com Out Now! HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE TWO on Itunes US & UK - glnk.it Out Now! HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE TWO on Amazon US & UK - glnk.it Music video by Beastie Boys performing Make Some Noise. (P) (C) 2011 Capitol Records, LLC and Beastie Boys. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, LLC, 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028.
Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (Full Length)
Official Full Length, Ultra HD and Explicit Director's Cut music video for Beastie Boys "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (featuring Santigold)" off their album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. Directed by the legendary Spike Jonze. Production Company: Oscilloscope. Producer: Samantha Storr Get Hot Sauce Committee Part Two on iTunes: itunes.com Make Some Noise at makesomenoise.fm http www.facebook.com twitter.com Music video by Beastie Boys performing Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (Full Length). (P) (C) 2011 Capitol Records, LLC and Beastie Boys. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of app...
Beastie Boys - Rhymin' & Stealin' (Official Video)
Taken from the Licensed To Ill VHS 1987.
Beastie Boys - Body Movin'
Music video by The Beastie Boys performing Body Movin'. (C) 2009 Capitol Records, LLC
Beastie Boys on SNL, 1998: Adrock in comedy sketch 3 MC's & Sabotage
Beastie Boys on Saturday Night Live; November 21st, 1998 0:09 "Candy Striper Spartans" sketch ft. Adam Horovitz and Jennifer Love Hewitt 1:14 "Three MC's And One DJ" 3:53 "Sabotage" with special guest appearances by Nathan Wind, Vic Colfari and Alasondro Alegr
Beastie Boys on Soul Train-performing Shadrach Interview
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique Release Party
Beastie Boys June 29th 1989 Paul's Boutique Release Party, Capitol Records Building (Rooftop), Hollywood California USA
Beastie Boys LIVE at the Isle Of Wight; Bestival 2007 ("Sure Shot" & "Sabotage" interview)
0:00 SURE SHOT: y'all gotta listen out for when Money Mark drops "Another One Bites The Dust" into the mix! 2:51 witness Mike D brazenly threatening to smash our little Adrock with a basket. OH THE HUMANITY! 3:16 SABOTAGE: fucken awesome. that is all. I don't own this video! I got this from The Lord Of The Beastie Videos - "Porkys1982"! PLEASE ch-check him out if you'd like to see more! This is his YouTube channel: the www.youtube.com This is his Vimeo page: vimeo.com He has over 40 hours of Beastie TV interviews and performances for your viewing pleasure. Props, Ben! xoxo NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED! Proud to be a member of the Beastie grrrl movement! twibbon.com
Beastie Boys HILARIOUS interview for French TV, 2009
I don't own this video! I got this from the The Lord Of The Beastie Videos - "Porkys1982"! PLEASE ch-check him out if you'd like to see more! This is his YouTube channel: the www.youtube.com This is his Vimeo page: vimeo.com He has over 40 hours of Beastie TV interviews and performances for your viewing pleasure. Props, Ben! xoxo NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED! Proud to be a member of the Beastie grrrl movement! twibbon.com
Beastie Boys Interview: Mike D and MCA
Mike D and MCA stop by the MTV studios to discuss 'Anthology: The Sounds of Science' and the world premiere of "Alive" with Carson Daly on November 1, 1999.
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The Huffington Post | By Kia Makarechi Posted: 05/08/2012 5:54 pm Updated: 05/08/2012 11:49 pm