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Licensed to Ill: Album Guide, Artist and Facts

Licensed to Ill — album guide with key facts, artist and background.

By the Pop Culture Files editorial team3 min read✓ Fact-checked
Licensed to Ill
Def Jam Recordings via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Licensed to Ill is the debut studio album by the American hip-hop group Beastie Boys, released on November 15, 1986, by Def Jam and Columbia Records. The album became the first rap LP to top the Billboard 200 chart, and was the second rap album to be certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It is one of Columbia Records' fastest-selling debut records to date and was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2015 for shipping over ten million copies in the United States. The album received critical acclaim for its unique musical style, chemistry between the group members, and their stylized rapping. Since its release, Licensed to Ill has been ranked by critics as one of the greatest hip-hop and debut albums of all time. Despite its popularity and success, this would be the group’s only album to be released from Def Jam due to creative differences with producer Rick Rubin, resulting in the group leaving the label to sign with Capitol Records for their next album, Paul's Boutique (1989).

Quick facts about Licensed to Ill

  • Title: Licensed to Ill
  • Artist: Beastie Boys
  • Released: 1986
  • Type: Album
  • Wikidata ID: Q1073460

Compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.

Frequently asked questions

What is Licensed to Ill?

Licensed to Ill is the debut studio album by the American hip-hop group Beastie Boys, released on November 15, 1986, by Def Jam and Columbia Records.

Who made Licensed to Ill?

Licensed to Ill is by Beastie Boys.

When was Licensed to Ill released?

Licensed to Ill was released in 1986.

Sources

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