BeastieMania.com - Song Spotlight

Funky Boss

First Appearance: Check Your Head LP, 21 April 1992
Written by: Beastie Boys and Mark Nishita
Performed by: Adam Yauch (bass), Michael Diamond (drums), Adam Horovitz (guitar), Mark Nishita (D6, Clav, Organ, Wurlitzer), James Bradley Jr (percussion)
Production Notes: Engineered by Mario Caldato, produced by Beastie Boys and Mario Caldato. Recorded and mixed at G-Son Studios, Atwater Village, CA. Sequenced at PCP Labs.

Click for Funky Boss Lyrics

Behind the Beats and Lyrics...

Samples

"Funky Worm" by Ohio Players from the album Pleasure (1972)
"Under Mi Sensi" by Barrington Levy from the single "Under Mi Sensi" (1985)
"Bicentennial Nigger" by Richard Pryor from the album Bicentennial Nigger (1976)

Sample & Reference Breakdown

Speech and audience laughter - sample from "Bicentennial Nigger" by Richard Pryor

Commentary

Press

"...a slick reggae cut propelled by a slinky guitar" - Rolling Stone, 1992

Released Versions:

Funky Boss

Live Versions:

Performed in 6 known Concerts.

First known Performance:
17-May-1995 : CSU Convocation Center, Cleveland, OH, United States

Last known Performance:
26-Sep-2007 : Riveria Theatre, Chicago, IL, United States