After a few name changes, a year and half delay, a battle with cancer and a 30-minute short, the Beastie Boys‘ eighth studio album “Hot Sauce Committee Part 2” drops today. Personally, we don’t think any true hip-hop head ― or lover of good music ― should need a reason to check out Ad-Rock, MCA and Mike D’s new project, but just in case they do … here’s five reasons you should take a listen to “Hot Sauce Committee Part 2.”
1. The Star-Studded “Make Some Noise” Video
The 30-minute video for “Make Some Noise” is a testament to how universally cool the Beastie Boys are. The trio are so cool that all of Hollywood makes an appearance in the video/short-film. And it wasn’t enough for Seth Rogen, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolf, Chloe Sevigny, Rainn Wilson, Ted Danson, Will Ferrell, Jack Black and Steve Buscemi (to name a few) to make a cameo, the stars went all out and engaged in a dance-off.
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2. A Sequel Before the Original
Don’t go looking for “Hot Sauce Committee Part 1” on iTunes or in Target. It doesn’t exist, but there’s something very cool about the idea that the veteran rappers moved on from the original concept and title and didn’t look back. Could they have just called this album “Hot Sauce Committee” or “Hot Sauce Committee Part 1” a year and a half later? Sure, but instead fans are left feeling like they’re getting a whole new product, not the same stuff set to appear on the canned 2009 album.
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3. They’re Still Ill 25 Years Later
It’s been 25 years since Ad-Rock, MCA and Mike D released their debut “Licensed to Ill” ― which goes down in history as the first rap record to make it on the Billboard charts. A quarter of a century later, the trio, well into their 40s, still have license to create great music, without it feeling like no one will care.
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4. A Re-worked “Too Many Rappers”
In 2009, evidence that the Beasties were gearing up to release a new project was confirmed by a performance of “Too Many Rappers,” featuring Nas. Two years later, we worried that the track might not make the final product, but au contraire, the Esco-assisted song has a slot on “Hot Sauce Committee Part 2,” which is more than enough of a reason for fans to run out and get it.
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5. Respecting the Old School
How many times have been listening to some old vinyl, or watching Ralph McDaniels’ anniversary edition of Video Music Box and thought: “Man, those were the days. I wish [fill in the blank] were still rocking out today.” Well, here’s your chance to support some of the founding fathers of this game. It’s like community service.
