Pass the Mic

Beastie Boys

About Pass the Mic

"Pass the Mic" is the first single from the third studio album Check Your Head by Beastie Boys, released on April 7, 1992. The last track on the single, "Netty's Girl", has a short clip stitched on the end of it, as well as a secret 3 second clip at the end of the track. The actual song is only 3 minutes long, as it appears on the compilation The Sounds of Science. The song was the subject of the landmark Newton v. Diamond case, in which the band was found not liable for infringement of copyright on the underlying composition of a three-note, six-second sampled recording of James Newton's "Choir". The band had paid Newton's record label for the use of the sound recording in 1992. The court found that they were not obligated to also license the underlying composition, as three notes qualifies as de minimis use. 


Year:
2000
228 

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If you can feel what I'm feeling then it's a musical masterpiece
Hear what I'm dealing with then that's cool at least
What's running through my mind comes through in my walk
True feelings are shown from the way that I talk and this is me, y'all
An M.C., y'all my name is M.C.A. and I still do what I please
And now I'd like to introduce (what's up?)
I'll pass the mic to D for a fistful of truth

The name is D, y'all, and I don't play
And I can rock a block party 'till your hair turns grey
(So, what you sayin'?) I explode on site
I'm like Jimmy Walker, I'm (dy-no-mite!)
And now I'd like to pass the mic
To Adrock, c'mon and do anything you like

I'm the A-D-R-O-C-K, in the place with the bass, I'm going all the way
I can't stop y'all, tock-tick, y'all
And if you think that you're slick you'll catch a brick y'all
'Cause I'ma turn it in and I'ma turn it out
But for now I've got to pass the mic to Yauch

Well, on and on and on and on
I can't stop, y'all, 'till' the early morn'
So rock-rock, y'all, tick-tock y'all, to the beat, y'all
To the beat, y'all, c'mon and rock, y'all

I give thanks for inspiration, it guides my mind along the way
A lot of people get jealous, they're talking about me
But that's just 'cause they haven't got a thing to say

Well, everybody rapping like it's a commercial
Actin' like life is a big commercial
So this is what I've got to say to you all
Be true to yourself and you will never fall
And now I'd like to pass the mic to the A

(So what's your name, yauch?) my name is M.C.A
I've been coming to where I am from the get-go
Find that I can groove with the beat when I let go
So put your worries on hold
Get up and groove with the rhythm in your soul
And now I'd like to pass the mic
To my brother Adrock, c'mon and shine like a light

Yes, yes, y'all and yes, yes, y'all
I'm always on time, nevertheless, y'all
And that's right, y'all
I shed light, y'all
I've got no time in my life to get uptight, y'all
So what you gonna say that I don't know already?
I'm like Clyde and I'm rockin' steady
But time flies when you're having fun, so Mike D (that's me!)
C'mon and get some

M-I-K-E to the D
You come and see me and you pay your fee
Do what I do professionally
To tell the truth I am exactly what I want to be
Now Adrock (huh?) and M.C.A (yeah?)
Let's rock this joint in the old school way

Well, I'm on 'till the crack of dawn
Mowing down M.C.'s like I'm mowing the lawn
I go off like nothing can phase me
You think we'll ever meet Stevie?
(One of these days, D!)
But I can stand my ground and I am down
To wax an M.C who acts like a clown
But for now, I'd like to ask you how
You like the feel of the bass in your face in the crowd?

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Beastie Boys

Beastie Boys is an American hip hop band from New York City, formed in 1981. For the majority of its career, the group has consisted of three MCs and musicians Michael "Mike D" Diamond (vocals, drums), Adam "MCA" Yauch (vocals, bass) and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz (vocals, guitar). more »

4 fans

Written by: ADAM HOROVITZ, ADAM NATHANIEL YAUCH, MARIO CALDATO JR., MICHAEL LOUIS DIAMOND, M. NISHITA

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

About the Artists
"Pass the Mic" is a song by the Beastie Boys, an influential American hip-hop group composed of members Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "MCA" Yauch, and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz.
Album Context
The song is the first track on the Beastie Boys’ third studio album called "Check Your Head," which was released in 1992.
Musical Style
"Pass the Mic" exemplifies the Beastie Boys' return to their punk rock roots with its combination of deep grooves and aggressive raps layered over heavy, live instrumentation.
Song Production
The Beastie Boys co-billed their production team, aptly named “Dust Brothers,” for the production of "Pass the Mic."
Content
The song's lyrics contain various cultural, historical, and social references, showcasing the wide-ranging knowledge, intelligence, and wit of the Beastie Boys.
Recognition
In 1994, "Pass the Mic" won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video.
Music Video
The music video for "Pass the Mic" was directed by iconic Hollywood filmmaker Spike Jonze, known for movies such as "Being John Malkovich," "Adaptation," and "Her."
Album Reception
"Check Your Head," the album on which "Pass the Mic" appears, is often cited by critics as one of the Beastie Boys' best works, marking a successful reinvention of the band's sound.
Legacy
"Pass the Mic" set the tone for the Beastie Boys' future works, where they continued to explore the blending of rap with live instrumental performances in their music.
Samples Used
The song samples two tracks, "Time for Livin'" by Sly & the Family Stone and "Big Sur Suite" by Johnny Hammond, reflecting the band's love for integrating various musical influences into their work.
Live Performances
"Pass the Mic" became a fan favorite at live Beastie Boys shows, adding a raw and punk-inspired energy to their concerts.
Record Label
The album "Check Your Head," which includes "Pass the Mic," was released under Capitol Records, a renowned American record label.
Influence
Today, "Pass the Mic" is considered a significant song in the Beastie Boys' career, and their impact on the evolution of hip-hop and rap genres cannot be denied.

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