On Saturday, New York City’s Lower East Side paid tribute to the surviving members of the iconic rap group, with Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz and Michael “Mike D” Diamond being honored as a street corner was officially designated in their name.

The unveiling of the Beastie Boys Square marker occurred at the intersection of Ludlow and Rivington, more than three decades after this very spot graced the cover of their 1989 album, Paul’s Boutique.

As reported by Rolling Stone, an earlier attempt to christen this area in the trio’s honor was rejected in a 24-to-1 vote back in 2014 but was eventually approved by the New York City Council eight years later. “We stroll through these streets without much thought about the names they bear, such as Ludlow Street, Irving Street, Father Demo Square,” commented Horovitz, 56, in remarks to Rolling Stone. “But it genuinely pleases me to know that a kid on their way to school 50 years from now will pass by this spot, gaze up, and wonder, ‘Who are the Beastie Boys, and why do they have a square?'”

Horovitz, reveling in the experience, labeled it as “absolutely fantastic” and took a moment to express gratitude to council members and the city of New York, acknowledging their role in shaping the band’s tastes in music, fashion, love, and life.

Diamond, 57, addressing the gathered crowd on Saturday, referred to the honor as a “multiyear battle” and paid tribute to the neighborhood itself, emphasizing its coolness as a place the band frequented. He reflected on their journey from avidly listening to rap music as kids to ultimately producing rap records, conveying his gratitude for the entire experience.

The Beastie Boys Square initiative’s Instagram account celebrated the joyful occasion over the weekend, noting that “the fight was worth it” and extending warm wishes for the 50th anniversary of hip-hop while thanking the Beastie Boys for their significant contributions to art and culture.

This honor arrives over 11 years after the loss of Beastie Boys member Adam “MCA” Yauch, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 47 after a three-year battle with cancer. It also follows numerous celebrations marking hip-hop’s 50th anniversary last month, underscoring the genre’s enduring impact on both music and culture.

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