'Licensed to Ill' is the Beastie Boys debut album released in November 1986. It showcases the band's 'party rap' style which emphasizes comedic lyrics and having fun, over some of the more politicized hip hop music of the time. Produced by mega producer Rick Rubin, who has gone on to become a very popular collaborator with rock artists [it appears the Red Hot Chili Peppers won't go near a studio until they have secured Rubin's services]. He also does a good line in rejuvenating flat lining careers of old rock n rollers, doing wonders for both Johnny Cash and recently Neil Diamond. At this point of course Rubin was not the 'mega' producer and his Def Jam record label was .  Read the complete review

"Licensed To Ill" is the debut album from the Beastie Boys. It was re-named from "Don't Be A F****t" for obvious reasons, and has the first mainstream, all-white Hip Hop crew come with a classic cut. Here, the crew were a trio of MCs, Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock. It came out in 1986 on Def Jam, and had a groundbreaking impact as they became the first Hip Hop act to top the Billboard Charts. Originally, they started up in the Punk Rock scene, but crossed over to this under the influence of Rick Rubin, the producer responsible for all the killer cuts off LL Cool J's "Radio". Elements of this are still apparent in their work as it has a spectrum of  Read the complete review

Back in 1986 I have to admit I was caught up in Beastie mania which is very unlike me. For those that weren't there it's probably hard to believe that there was a time when the Beasties seemed to be everywhere and everyone was talking about Mike D, Ad Rock and MCA. The first most of us knew of the Beastie Boys in the UK was when we heard the Fight For Your Right to Party single. Bringing together two styles of music that most hadn't thought could be mixed, namely Rock and Rap they, they debuted a sound to the masses that was new and exciting. Their image and media frenzy surrounding them could only add to their popularity as did the excellent second ...  Read the complete review

I hated the Beastie Boys in 1986. They were loud, they nicked VW badges (which was 'sad') and they shouted at folk. I was only 11. Now, looking back, this is a brilliant album, well ahead of it's time. The beats and lines are so upbeat you just want to get up and dance to it. The rhymes are often cheesy, or funny, but you feel like you shuld be able to sing along. Until you try and you relaise that these guys do have some skill at mic work. Many of the opinions expressed are pretty un-PC, but looking back it was hamrless white boy rap, a few kids having a laugh. And other loved them, and they helped spawn the rock/rap crossover, ...  Read the complete review