Beastie Boys Are Getting Their Own Musical
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Story by Charles Ken
The musical ‘License to Ill’ will open in London this November
Beastie Boys are getting their own musical theater. A musical appropriately named “License to Ill,” after the band’s 1986 debut album, will be staged at the Camden People’s Theatre in London this November.
“The Beastie Boys’ story sheds light on many issues still raising hackles: racism towards & within rap; misogyny; the battle for hip-hop’s soul, between those using it for protest, & for profit,” the musical’s description states. “We follow the gang from teenage punks, via their discovery by legendary producer Rick Rubin, to their induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.”
What’s interesting is that “Licensed to Ill,” the musical, is actually not licensed yet. Co-writer Simon Maeder told Pitchfork that, “Whilst we have ensured the Beastie Boys are fully appraised of our plans for the show, this is an unauthorized production based on the Beastie Boys story.”
“License to Ill” will open at the Camden People’s Theatre on Nov. 23 and run through Dec. 12.
Moving on from the musical news, the Beasties have inked a deal with New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music that will enable students to record in the band’s Oscilloscope studio in New York City.
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