7 Artists That Switched Musical Genres

3. Beastie Boys

These fellas are considered hip-hop legends for bringing the genre closer to the masses and standing their ground as the first all-white rap act. But what many don’t know is that the Beastie Boys kicked off their musical trajectory with a loud and steamy punk-rock album titled Polly Wog Stew back in 1982. The rock sound didn’t stick, and they experimented with a Run-D.M.C style, catching Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons’ attention. The Def Jam co-founders signed the act and released Licensed to Ill, the Beasties first hip-hop album, in 1986.