Net Worth Ranker
What Is Adam Keefe Horovitz’s Net Worth?
Adam Keefe Horovitz, also recognized as Ad-Rock or King Ad-Rock, boasts a substantial net worth of $100 million. This impressive financial standing is primarily attributed to his successful career as a musician, rapper, producer, and actor. His pioneering role as a member of the influential hip-hop group, the Beastie Boys, has been a significant contributor to his wealth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in New York City on October 31, 1966, Adam Keefe Horovitz is the son of Doris Keefe and playwright Israel Horovitz. While specific financial details regarding his upbringing on Park Avenue in Manhattan are not publicly available, his early exposure to cultural influences undoubtedly shaped his future career. His musical journey commenced with the punk rock band The Young and the Useless, which shared stages with the Beastie Boys. In 1982, at the age of 16, Horovitz replaced John Berry as the guitarist for the Beastie Boys, a pivotal moment that altered the band’s trajectory from hardcore punk to hip-hop. This transition marked the beginning of Horovitz’s significant impact on the group’s evolving sound and subsequent success.
The Rise of the Beastie Boys and Commercial Success
The Beastie Boys’ early track, “Cooky Puss” (1984), exemplified their legendary sense of humor and marked a crucial step in their evolution. The single featured prank calls to an ice cream shop. Partnering with Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, cofounders of Def Jam, proved to be a catalyst for the band’s breakthrough. In 1985, the Beastie Boys toured with Madonna, an experience that exposed them to a broader audience, despite initial challenges with her fanbase. The following year, their debut album, “Licensed to Ill,” achieved monumental success, becoming the first rap album to top the Billboard 200 chart. This album spawned six hit singles, including the iconic “(You’ve Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party.)”, solidifying their position in the music industry.
Following the triumph of “Licensed to Ill,” the Beastie Boys transitioned from Def Jam to Capitol Records. In 1988, they returned to the studio, resulting in their critically acclaimed second album, “Paul’s Boutique,” released on July 25, 1989. While it peaked at number 14 on the US Album Charts, its artistic maturity was widely recognized. “Hey Ladies,” one of the album’s two singles, reached the Top 40, peaking at number 36 on the US Hot 100. “Check Your Head,” recorded in their own “G-Son” studio in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, followed in 1992. Certified double Platinum in the US, it reached number 10 on the Billboard 200. The album’s singles, “Pass the Mic” and “So What’cha Want,” achieved success on various charts.
The Beastie Boys’ continued success in 1994 with “Ill Communication,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number two on the R&B/hip hop album chart. The single “Sabotage” became a hit on the modern rock charts, complemented by a memorable music video directed by Spike Jonze. “Get It Together” also reached the Top 10 on the Billboard charts. The band released four more albums before disbanding: “Hello Nasty” (1998), “To the 5 Boroughs” (2004), “The Mix-Up” (2007), and “Hot Sauce Committee Part Two” (2011). In 2012, Horovitz was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beastie Boys, solidifying his legacy in music history.
Additional Musical Ventures and Acting Career
Beyond his work with the Beastie Boys, Horovitz has remixed tracks for various artists under the alias 41 Small Stars. He also plays bass in The Tender Moments, the backing band of New York-based cabaret performer Bridget Everett. Horovitz has appeared in several films and television shows, including “Lost Angels” (1989), “Roadside Prophets” (1992), “Godspeed” (2007), “While We’re Young” (2014), and “Golden Exits” (2017). In 2014, he contributed to the soundtrack for the baseball documentary “No No,” about pitcher Dock Ellis. In 2020, he was featured in the documentary “Have a Good Trip” and the Spike Jonze-directed documentary “Beastie Boys Story.” These ventures contribute to his multifaceted career and overall financial success, adding to Adam Keefe Horovitz’s net worth.
Real Estate Investments
In 2017, Horovitz and his wife, Kathleen Hanna, purchased a house in South Pasadena, California, for $1.73 million. This 1912 Craftsman-style house, located about 10 miles from downtown L.A., features three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and sits on a quarter-acre of land. The 2,400-square-foot home, originally listed for $1.688 million, sold for $42,000 over the asking price. This real estate investment is a tangible asset that contributes to Adam Keefe Horovitz’s net worth.
Personal Life
Horovitz’s personal life has also been a subject of public interest. In the late 1980s, he was in a relationship with actress Molly Ringwald. He was married to actress Ione Skye from 1992 to 1995. Since 1997, he has been involved with riot grrrl artist and Bikini Kill singer Kathleen Hanna, and they married in 2006. Horovitz is prominently featured in “The Punk Singer,” a 2013 documentary about Hanna’s life and career. He wears a medical alert bracelet following a seizure in 2003 and enjoys playing softball. In 2016, he collaborated with vegan shoe company Keep to design a sneaker to benefit Planned Parenthood. While these aspects of his personal life don’t directly impact Adam Keefe Horovitz’s net worth, they provide insight into his values and activities outside of his professional career.
