Hello Brooklyn!

And to the stage emerged 3 mc’s and one dj, for the first time performing in their hometown of Brooklyn. Adam “MCA” Yauch, Adam “Adrock” Horovitz and Michael “Mike D” Diamond, better known as the Beastie Boys, had amazingly never played a show in Brooklyn before Thursday night’s thrilling performance at McCarren Pool in Greenpoint. Backed by the master DJ Mixmaster Mike, sensational percussionist Alfredo Ortiz, and the brilliant Money Mark on keyboards, the Beasties played the most unforgettable concert of the year. They proved they could still sling rhymes on such classics as “Pass the Mic,” “Intergalactic,” “Ch-Check It Out,” and “So What’cha Want.” But more impressive was when the trio picked up their instruments and showed their range as musicians from the early hardcore of “Egg Raid on Mojo” to the new instrumentals to the chilled out funk of “Lighten Up.” All of the many styles that the Beastie Boys have generated over the last few decades were present, and mixed fluidly with each other. The crowd danced along and sang every word, and when the Beasties asked for participation, they did just that, all while the hip hop legends performed with as much energy as when they were in their early 20’s. Fittingly, the night came to a close with the one song that could truly end their first ever Brooklyn show, “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.”

Photos courtesy of [Jonny-Leather]