Licensed to Ill

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Licensed to Ill was the debut album of Beastie Boys and was released on 15 November 1986 on Def Jam and Columbia. Producer Rick Rubin was behind the record. It became the first rap album to top the American Billboard 200. It was also the group's only album on Def Jam, because after a dispute with Rubin the group moved to Capitol Records.

The sound mixes rap with hard guitars. Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman of Slayer played guitar, uncredited, on Fight for Your Right and No Sleep Till Brooklyn. The title of the latter track is a nod to the Motörhead album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith, and the video parodies glam metal. On the sleeve, a plane bearing the group's logo has crashed into a mountain. Critics praised the idiosyncratic style and the chemistry between the three rappers. Later lists rank it among the best hip hop and debut albums.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Rhymin' & Stealin'4:08Apple Music ↗
2. 2The New Style4:36Apple Music ↗
3. 3She's Crafty3:35Apple Music ↗
4. 4Posse In Effect2:26Apple Music ↗
5. 5Slow Ride2:57Apple Music ↗
6. 6Girls2:13Apple Music ↗
7. 7Fight for Your Right3:29Apple Music ↗
8. 8No Sleep Till Brooklyn4:07Apple Music ↗
9. 9Paul Revere3:41Apple Music ↗
10. 10Hold It Now, Hit It3:26Apple Music ↗
11. 11Brass Monkey2:37Apple Music ↗
12. 12Slow and Low3:38Apple Music ↗
13. 13Time to Get Ill3:40Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗