BEASTIE BOYS — Licensed to Ill (review)

BEASTIE BOYS — Licensed to Ill album cover Album · 1986 · Non-Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Unitron
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES!

Along with Run DMC, the Beastie Boys helped pioneer the fusion of rock and hip hop that would influence many bands to come. Starting out as part of the growing New York Hardcore scene, the band pretty quickly made the transition into the even faster growing East Coast Hip Hop scene. After a self-released single and getting signed to the new Def Jam label, which would serve as a hub for several major hip hop and metal artists, Beastie Boys flew and crashed onto the album market with Licensed to Ill. It went on to become one of the best selling hip hop albums of the 80's.

As soon as the opening Rhymin' & Stealin' starts, it's no wonder. Sampling the iconic drums from Led Zeppelin's classic When the Levee Breaks as well as the equally iconic riff from Black Sabbath's Sweet Leaf, the way they're mixed together makes it a precursor to the now incredibly popular art of mashups. Add onto that the exuberant bravado of Mike D, MCA, and Ad-Rock, and you've got an incredibly fun album that's bursting with energy. Big loud drums dominate the album, as does excellent sampling and vocal flow. She's Crafty, Hold It Now Hit It, Brass Monkey, and the underrated deep cut Slow and Low are songs that'll remain in your head with great hooks of different varieties. My favorite though will always be the aforementioned Rhymin' & Stealin', it's really an explosion of sound that's impossible to not scream along to the chanting of ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES, ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES! with elements of two hard rock/metal classics backing it.

The group's goofy sense of humor is on full display, with a satirical edge. Hit singles Fight for Your Right and No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn are able to both nail the mood of 80's party rock while making fun of it at the same time as the videos show. They make fun of themselves too, as the lyrics of Rhymin' & Stealin' show, serious musicians who love to have fun.

Licensed to Ill is a classic hip hop album in every way with easy crossover appeal. Despite its massive success, Beastie Boys were not ones to let money take over creativity, and their next album would show them keep experimenting and create what is maybe one of the most layered hip hop albums of all time.
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