The Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill OG US First Press 1986 C40238

The Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill OG US First Press 1986
**OG FIRST PRESS**

**LP Video.  

Visually Graded:
Cover: VG+
Inner Sleeve: VG
Record: VG+
C40238
We conservatively grade our records.

The Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill (1986 US First Press)

The Beastie Boys' debut album, Licensed to Ill, was released on November 15, 1986, by Def Jam Recordings and distributed by Columbia Records. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time, marking the trio's breakthrough into mainstream success and showcasing their unique blend of rap, rock, and humor.

Album Highlights:

• Genre: Hip-hop, rap rock.
• Key Tracks:
  • "Fight For Your Right (To Party!)"
  • "No Sleep Till Brooklyn"
  • "Paul Revere"
  • "Girls"
  • "Brass Monkey"

Production Details:

• Produced by Rick Rubin, the album features heavy use of rock-inspired samples and beats. Rubin’s production, combined with the Beastie Boys’ energetic raps and irreverent lyrics, created a groundbreaking sound that resonated across genres.
• The iconic cover art features a Boeing 727 with the Def Jam logo on the tail, which folds out to show the plane crashing into a mountain, symbolizing the rebellious and boundary-pushing nature of the album.

Cultural Impact:

• Licensed to Ill was the first rap album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, a historic achievement that cemented the Beastie Boys' place in music history.
• It has since been certified Diamond in the U.S., with over 10 million copies sold.

US First Press Details:

• Label: Def Jam Recordings, Columbia – FC 40238.
• Vinyl Features: Original pressings are known for their excellent sound quality and thick vinyl. Look for the original Def Jam and Columbia labels.
• Inner Sleeve/Insert: The original press includes an inner sleeve with lyrics and credits.

This album is a must-have for hip-hop collectors and Beastie Boys fans, representing a pivotal moment in music history.

Record grading:

• Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way, likely never played, and still sealed.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): Nearly perfect. The record shows no obvious signs of wear and looks as if it was just opened. No visible marks or scratches.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows slight signs of use, such as light scuffs or very minor scratches, but plays without any major deterioration in sound quality.

• Very Good (VG): Noticeable wear with some surface noise, light scratches, or groove wear, but still plays through without skipping.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The record plays but with significant surface noise, scratches, and wear. The cover may have visible damage or splits.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The record may be damaged and is barely playable. Typically used only for highly collectible records.

Cover grading: 

• Mint (M): The cover is flawless, with no signs of wear. Often still sealed with no corner dings, creases, or ring wear.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover looks almost new, with only the slightest signs of handling. There may be very minimal wear, but no significant flaws like writing, splits, or tears.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as minor scuffing, small corner creases, or slight ring wear. No major damage, but a well-cared-for album with minor imperfections.

• Very Good (VG): Moderate wear is visible, including ring wear, light edge or corner damage, small seam splits, or slight discoloration. Still presentable but clearly used.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The cover shows significant wear, such as noticeable ring wear, seam splits, heavy creasing, or writing. It may still hold together but looks heavily worn.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The cover is heavily damaged, with major seam splits, tears, extensive writing, water damage, or severe ring wear. It may barely hold together or be incomplete.