There are many things I admired about Adam Yauch and the Beastie Boys in general: They were/are talented lyricists and musicians. They had the ability to genuinely evolve their style and had a career that spanned decades. They were pioneers and have influenced many other artists I like.
One of the things I respected the most about Adam Yauch/MCA was his ability to admit he was wrong. He not only evolved as a musician, but as a human being. Though the BBoys’ misogynistic songs of the 80s were likely just meant in jest, he reflected on what he had done and apologized, changed, and accepted that he made mistakes. I don’t think he was just doing it to get people off his back; he had actually changed. How many people do you know have done that? So many people put pride above self-reflection. All of us, including myself, have been guilty of doing this at some point in our lives and some have always done it – never examining, never changing, and never improving. The search for truth is much more important than the desire to always be right. What a fine example he was.
As a kid, I remember hearing this song and reading an interview where the band discussed why they would no longer perform some of the older hits – no matter how often they were requested – and their reasoning behind that. It really stuck with me. Thank you, Beastie Boys.
Beastie Boys – Sure Shot by BeastieBoys-Official
“I want to say a little something that’s long overdue
The disrespect to women has got to be through
To all the mothers and sisters and the wives and friends
I want to offer my love and respect to the end.”