Beastie Boys to reissue hip-hop’s first ever No 1 album

‘Licensed to Ill’ blazed a hip-hop trail. Image by Vedefito. Creative Commons

Seminal American trio’s classic 1986 album ‘License To Ill’ is to receive a vinyl reissue to mark its 30th anniversary

There’ll be no monkeying about this autumn, just recognition for one of the totemic moments in the history of hip-hop, after it was announced that the Beastie Boys will be releasing a vinyl reissue of their seminal debut album Licensed to Ill.

Released to mark the album’s 30th anniversary, the record will celebrate its 30th birthday on 15 November. However, it was March 1987 that saw License To Ill change everything, as it became the first hip-hop album to make it to No 1 on the US Billboard 200.

Fans will be able to get their hands on the anniversary vinyl copy of License To Ill (which is taken from the original production masters) on 14 October, with pre-orders available now through the Beastie Boys’ official website.

License To Ill featured 13 tracks. Seven of the songs were released as singles, including the anthemic (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party). Produced by the Beastie Boys and Rick Rubin (who also produced Slayer’s 1986 album Reign In Blood), License To Ill has gone on to sell over ten million copies in the US alone.

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