This November, it will be 40 years since the world was introduced to Beastie Boys, one of the most influential hip-hop groups ever formed, via their debut album, Licensed to Ill. To celebrate the anniversary of the groundbreaking LP, The Great Albums book series is releasing Beastie Boys: Licensed to Ill – 40 Years, an in-depth retrospective featuring fresh interviews, candid photos, and more.
Coming from author Ben Merlis (who also penned the recent Consequence Cover Story Mike D: Time for Living around the Beastie Boy member’s debut solo album, Thank You), the 176-page hardcover book is packaged in a slick slipcase. Featuring a forward by Prince Paul, the tome includes over 200 images, a track-by-track examination of Licensed to Ill, and new interviews with producers, collaborators, and cultural critics.
About the Book
The official logline reads: “When Licensed to Ill hit the Billboard charts in 1986, it didn’t just make history — it rewrote it. The Beastie Boys’ mix of punk energy, streetwise humor, and Rick Rubin’s hard-hitting production propelled the album to become the first rap LP to top the Billboard 200 and one of the fastest-selling debuts in history. Beastie Boys: Licensed to Ill – 40 Years invites you into the creative chaos that produced classics like ‘No Sleep Till Brooklyn,’ ‘Girls,’ and ‘Brass Monkey.’”
Author’s Statement
“When I was asked by the publisher to write this book, I had to say yes because there is no other story that wholly encompasses my two biggest passions: hardcore punk and hip-hop. Beastie Boys were a total anomaly and I wanted to explain step-by-step how a first generation NYHC band transitioned into being a full-fledged rap group, and then into arena-headlining pop stars with a number one album within a few short years,” Merlis said in a statement. “The whole relationship between the band, their producer/label founder Rick Rubin, and their manager/label co-owner Russell Simmons ran full speed into the side of a cliff, with the Beasties crawling out of the wreckage triumphant. It really is a tale of defying expectations and reinvention. Licensed to Ill still knocks, forty years later.”
Beastie Boys: Licensed to Ill – 40 Years arrives on October 13th, and you can pre-order it here.
In conclusion, Beastie Boys: Licensed to Ill – 40 Years is a must-have for fans of the iconic group and anyone interested in the history of hip-hop. With its unique blend of interviews, photos, and behind-the-scenes stories, this book is sure to delight readers and provide a fresh perspective on the making of a legendary album.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
