'Beastie Boys Story' is here, but does it really honor the legacy of Adam 'MCA' Yauch?
Apple TV's 'Beastie Boys Story', a Spike Jonze documentary on the American hip-hop group, is just around the corner. The feature, which airs on April 24, will pay tribute to the legendary band by revealing in-depth outlook on their work as well as the friendship between the three band members.
But before we make some noise over the upcoming special, it would be a good idea to note a particular ideology that Adam Yauch (otherwise known as MCA), who passed away in 20102, wrote in his will and testament.
Starting out as a group of mischievous misfits in their early days, the Beastie Boys created a unique formula to challenge authority using the platform of their music. Even after Yauch's death at the young age of 47, the group found a way to keep holding onto their views.
Towards the end of the hot number, 'Putting Shame in Your Game', MCA raps, "Don't grease my palm with your filthy cash. Multinationals spreading like a rash. I might stick around or I might be a fad. But I won't sell my songs for no TV ad" over an eerie melody complete with vinyl-scratches and a phat beat.
Artists frequently seek to find that special line or lyrical phrase in their songs that rings true for an eternity, but the rapper and filmmaker had a special funky knack for it and always managed to speak to the times.
Shortly after his passing, Yauch's will and testament came to light which included a statement in similar veins to his cheeky lyrics. “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event may my image or name or any music or any artistic property created by me be used for advertising purposes…” the statement reads in his will and testament which was filed in Manhattan Surrogate court.
His will prohibits the licensing of advertising for anyone who uses Yauch's image, music and art in their sales. Yauch instructed his estate to keep his works, and even his face, out of any future advertisements while his will also states that his fortune, which was $6.4m at the time, and the estate should be left for his wife and daughter.
Yauch met his wife, Tibetan activist Dechen Yauch, over their shared passion for activism, and even admitted to Rolling Stone that he was considering becoming a celibate monk before meeting her.
The remaining members of the Beastie Boys have also defended their rights over their property. According to Rolling Stone, in 2014, both Mike D and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz won a $1.7 million verdict after they sued Monster energy drink for using their music without their permission.
Now, as we draw near to premiere of the 'Beastie Boys Story', let's remember the creative genius that was Adam Yauch and let the Beastie Boys tell their tale in their own way of their highly influential legacy and years of friendship.