Based in New York City, Beastie Boys became the first white American hiphop group to achieve long-term fame and importance in the music industry. Started as a hardcore punk group in 1979, the Beastie Boys switched to hiphop in 1986 after release of debut album 'Licensed to Ill'. The band's 3 members are: Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Michael Diamond (Mike D). The Beastie Boys group is popular for eclectic, flippant, and jocular attitude.