License to Ill

Description

In November 1986, theBeastie Boysreleased their debut albumLicensed To Illon Def Jam/Columbia. It stands as one of Columbia’s fastest-selling debuts to date and eventually sold over nine million copies in the U.S. alone.Licensed To Illis still the only album by a white hip-hop act to receive the coveted 5 mics from theSourcewho has selected the album as one of the best 100 Best Rap Albums of all-time. Playful music videos were made for the classic cuts “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party),” “No Sleep Till Brooklyn,” “Girls,” “Hold It Now Hit It,” “Rhymin’ and Stealin’” and “She’s Crafty,” while further gems like “Brass Monkey,” “Paul Revere,” and “Time To Get Ill” provedLicensed To Illto be all killer no filler.

Kerry Kingof Slayer even made an appearance on the album playing lead guitar on “No Sleep Till Brooklyn,” which was named as a spoof on Motorhead’sNo Sleep ’til Hammersmithalbum. King’s appearance came about becauseRick Rubinwas producing both bands simultaneously (Slayer’sReign in Bloodwas also originally released on Dej Jam). The album’s iconic cover, front to back, features a Boeing 727 – withBeastie Boysemblazoned on the tail – crashing head-on into the side of a mountain, appearing as an extinguished joint. The tail of the plane has the Def Jam logo and the legend ‘3MTA3’ which spells ‘EATME’ when viewed in a mirror.

1. Rhymin & Stealin
2. The New Style
3. She’s Crafty
4. Posse In Effect
5. Slow Ride
6. Girls
7. Fight For Your Right
8. No Sleep Till Brooklyn
9. Paul Revere
10. Hold It Now, Hit It
11. Brass Monkey
12. Slow And Low
13. Time To Get Ill