The Beastie Boys have never exactly kept things conventional, starting from their break-out in hip-hop scene as three young Jewish (formerly in to hardcore punk) rappers, until they had a strong hold on rap and pop culture world-wide, with over 25 years of success both commercially and critically. They're staying true to their uncoventional ways as they sign on to write a memoir book.
Although the Beastie Boys' lost MCA last year to cancer, the two surviving group members, Michael Diamond (Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock) have inked a deal with Spiegel & Grau, (the same imprint that released Jay-Z's lyric book, "Decoded") for a book that will document and celebrate their history in the music industry as well as their aesthetic. The New York Times reports that the two rappers have yet to choose a title for the book, but it is expected to be released in 2015.
Mike D and Ad-Rock are not planning on keeping this a traditional memoir. The book, which is expected to be constructed loosely as an oral history, will be edited by hip-hop journlalist Sacha Jenkins, and will feature contributions from other writers. As well, there will be a focus on visuals within the memoir. Julie Grau, the publisher of Spiegel & Grau, compared the memoir to the Beastie Boy's short-lived magazine from the 1990s, "Grand Royal."
Garu says that the Beastie Boys are "interested in challenging the formand making the book a multidimensional experience. There is a kaleidoscopic frame of reference, and it asks a reader to keep up." No word yet from Mike D and Ad-Rock themselves, but we'll keep you in the loop.
