Displaying either their laudable concern about violence against women or a surprising streak of political correctness, the Beastie Boys raised some eyebrows in England over the weekend by asking Prodigy to not perform their hit "Smack My Bitch Up" at the Reading Festival, where both bands played.
A statement from the Prodigy camp says that Mike D called Prodigy's Liam Howlett the day before the show and asked that that band not play the song. Despite what the statement called some "friendly discussions" over the next two days, Prodigy did in fact play "Smack My Bitch Up," but not before telling the crowd about the Beasties' objections. Prodigy member Maxim told the crowd, "I do what the f*** I want."
During the Beasties' set, Adam Horovitz responded, "From where I'm from, it isn't cool." Acknowledging the colorful past of the group, which once featured a caged female dancer and a giant penis on stage, Ad-Rock continued, "It may seem hypocritical coming from us... whatever."
There's no further comment as yet from the Beasties' camp.
