Ad-Rock Siblings: Get to Know Rachael and Matthew Horovitz

Adam Keefe Horovitz, better known by his stage name Ad-Rock is an American rapper, guitarist, songwriter, and actor.

Born on October 31, 1966, in New York City, he rose to fame as a core member of the pioneering hip-hop group Beastie Boys, helping bridge punk, rock, and rap while influencing generations of musicians.

Ad-Rock grew up in Manhattan, primarily raised by his mother, artist Doris Keefe, following his parents’ divorce when he was young.

His father was the renowned playwright Israel Horovitz.

He initially played guitar in the hardcore punk band Young and the Useless before joining Beastie Boys in 1982 at age 16, replacing their original guitarist.

Siblings

Ad-Rock has two siblings, a sister, Rachael Horovitz, who works as a film producer, and a brother, Matthew Horovitz, an actor.

Ad-Rock is the youngest of three siblings, highlighting family dynamics that shaped his early life and perspective.

Career

Ad-Rock’s career centers on his enduring role in Beastie Boys, the group that evolved from hardcore punk roots into one of hip-hop’s most innovative and commercially successful acts.

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After joining, he helped steer the band toward rap, contributing to their breakthrough debut album Licensed to Ill (1986), which became the first rap album to top the Billboard 200 and achieved diamond certification for over 10 million U.S. sales.

Subsequent releases showcased their growth: the critically acclaimed, sample-heavy Paul’s Boutique (1989), the eclectic Check Your Head (1992) and Ill Communication (1994), the Grammy-winning Hello Nasty (1998) featuring the hit “Intergalactic,” To the 5 Boroughs (2004), the instrumental The Mix-Up (2007), and their final studio album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011).

Beastie Boys sold over 40 million albums worldwide, blending humor, social commentary, and genre experimentation.

Beyond the group, Ad-Rock pursued side projects like the band BS 2000 and acting roles in films such as Lost Angels (1989) and While We’re Young (2015).

Following MCA’s death in 2012, he retired the Beastie Boys name but continued creatively, co-authoring the bestselling memoir Beastie Boys Book (2018) with Mike D, collaborating on the documentary Beastie Boys Story (2020), scoring films, and performing bass with Bridget Everett and the Tender Moments.

He has also engaged in activism and personal endeavors, including his long-term marriage to musician Kathleen Hanna.

Accolades

Ad-Rock shares in Beastie Boys’ major honors, including three Grammy Awards (notably for Hello Nasty and “Intergalactic”), induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and widespread recognition as hip-hop pioneers who sold millions and influenced artists from Eminem to modern rap.

The group’s innovative sampling, live instrumentation, and cultural impact earned them enduring acclaim, with albums achieving a lasting legacy in music history.