Adam Horovitz

Adam Horovitz, known professionally as Ad-Rock, is an American rapper, guitarist, actor, and producer recognized for his influential role in hip-hop and alternative music as a core member of Beastie Boys. Raised in a creative environment as the son of playwright Israel Horovitz, Horovitz began his music career as the guitarist and vocalist for the hardcore punk band The Young and the Useless before joining Beastie Boys as a teenager. After Horovitz joined, the group shifted from hardcore punk to a hip-hop sound, helping bridge the gap between rock and rap and expanding the genre's audience.

Horovitz contributed as a rapper, guitarist, and songwriter throughout Beastie Boys' career, shaping their eclectic sound that fused hip-hop with rock, funk, and punk. The group's debut album, "Licensed to Ill," became the first rap album to top the Billboard 200 and achieved diamond certification for selling 10 million units in the United States. Beastie Boys continued to evolve, incorporating elements of jazz, electronica, and extensive sampling, earning Grammy Awards for the album "Hello Nasty" and its single, "Intergalactic." The group sold more than 21 million records and influenced subsequent generations of hip-hop artists.

With seven multi-platinum albums, including "Licensed to Ill," "Paul's Boutique," "Check Your Head," "Ill Communication," "Hello Nasty," "To the 5 Boroughs," and "Hot Sauce Committee Part Two," Beastie Boys are recognized as one of the longest-running hip-hop acts worldwide. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and won three Grammy Awards.

Beyond his work with Beastie Boys, Horovitz has worked as a remixer, producer, and guest musician for artists such as Fatboy Slim, Le Tigre, Lady Sovereign, Beck, and M.I.A., often under the name 41 Small Stars. His acting credits include a lead role in the drama "Lost Angels" and supporting roles in Noah Baumbach's "While We're Young" and "Golden Exits." Horovitz also plays bass in The Tender Moments, the backing band for New York-based cabaret performer Bridget Everett.

Horovitz co-authored the memoir "Beastie Boys Book" with bandmate Mike Diamond, which became a New York Times bestseller. He collaborated on the Spike Jonze-directed stage show and Apple TV+ documentary "Beastie Boys Story," both chronicling the band's history. Throughout his career, Horovitz has been active in social justice and advocacy, with Beastie Boys supporting causes such as Tibetan freedom and other social issues, reflecting the group's ongoing commitment to activism within the music industry.