Music

New York street corner might be named after the Beastie Boys

by Mark Teo

In our minds, the Beastie Boys are already a part of Lower East Side lore. But if a petition passes to name the corner Ludlow and Rivington—the intersection that famously graces the cover of their 1989 classic, Paul’s Boutique—after the band, they’ll be officially recognized as New York icons.

LeRoy McCarthy, a Brooklyn resident who also attempted to have a city corner named for Biggie Smalls, has began a petition to name Ludlow and Rivington Beastie Boys Square. “Over the course of 40 years, hip-hop has contributed to the economy, to fashion, tourism, race relations and New York City had projected this onto the world,” McCarthy said, according to DNA Info New York. “Where is the recognition from New York City? Has there been any? I don’t see that.”

“I think the Beastie Boys represent New York in a certain way. They grew up here. They’re New Yorkers.”

We agree. The petition, however, must be approved by the New York Manhattan Community Board 3, a body presiding over naming locations after historic figures. According to their guidelines, “Prospective honorees [like the Beastie Boys] should have a minimum of 15 years community involvement for  individuals and should have demonstrated an extraordinary and consistent voluntary  commitment and dedication to the community. Individual prospective honorees [sic] must be deceased.”

The Beasties should certainly qualify—not only have they been known for their community involvement, but when Adam Yauch passed away, fans flocked to the Lower East Side corner to pay their respects. Meanwhile, it’s not the first city landmark to be named after a Beastie Boy—MCA already has a Brooklyn park named for him.

But Ludlow and Rivington is an undoubtedly iconic part of Beastie Boys history. Here’s the iconic shot of the corner from Paul’s Boutique’s artwork.

Here’s what the corner looks like right now, via Google Maps.