On this date 38 years in the past, Adam Horowitz (Advert Rock), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Michael Diamond (Mike D) aka The Beastie Boys, dropped their sophomore LP Licensed To Ailing, on the Def Jam Imprint beneath Columbia Data.
On the heels of the profitable LL Cool J Radio album and the cult basic flick Krush Groove, Def Jam head honcho Russell Simmons determined to go in essentially the most unconventional route with the quasi-punk rock/Hip-Hop trio for Def Jam’s follow-up to these monumental releases. The unique title of this launch was Don’t Be A Faggot, however Columbia Data pushed Simmons to vary the homophobic title.
Rated as one in all The Supply Journal‘s Prime 100 Finest Albums, Licensed To Ailing obtained the coveted five-mic standing, a precedent for Jewish Hip Hop artists. In lower than six months after its launch, this critically acclaimed venture earned the Beastie Boys a platinum plaque, lead by the singles “Brass Monkey,” “No Sleep Til Brooklyn,” “Maintain It Now, Hit It” and the storytelling smash “Paul Revere.”
Sadly, crew member MCA misplaced his battle with most cancers in 2012, which really prompted a resurgence within the album’s recognition and gross sales.
Salute to Def Jam, Russell Simmons, Advert Rock, Mike D and the continued legacy of MCA for creating such a timeless Hip Hop basic!
