Studio Album · No. 1
Licensed to Ill Songwriting Credits by Beastie Boys
Produced by Rick Rubin · Engineered by Steven Ett, Joe Blaney
Def Jam / Columbia
Rap RockHip Hop
92%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 12 of 13 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 12 / 13 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Beastie Boys carries a lyricist or composer credit.
12 trackswritten by Beastie Boys
1 trackoutside writers
Beastie Boys's roles on this album
Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist92%
Composer92%
Producer0%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
13
Tracks
6
Lyricists
1
Producers
1986
Released
Data Insight
Rick Rubin is on all thirteen tracks, more than any member. The debut is as much his record as theirs, and no album after it gives an outsider that much.
Licensed to Ill came out on Def Jam in November 1986, sold more than nine million copies and was the label's fastest selling debut.
Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Rhymin & Stealin
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 2 |
The New Style
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 3 |
She's Crafty
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 4 |
Posse in Effect
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 5 |
Slow Ride
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 6 |
Girls
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 7 |
Fight for Your Right
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 8 |
No Sleep till Brooklyn
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 9 |
Paul Revere
|
Ad-RockDarryl McDanielsRick RubinJoseph Simmons | Adam Keefe HorovitzDarryl McDanielsFrederick Jay RubinJoseph Simmons | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 10 |
Hold It Now, Hit It
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 11 |
Brass Monkey
#48
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 12 |
Slow and Low
|
Darryl McDanielsRick RubinJoseph Simmons | Darryl McDanielsFrederick Jay RubinJoseph Simmons | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
| 13 |
Time to Get Ill
|
Mike DAd-RockMCARick Rubin | Michael Louis DiamondAdam Keefe HorovitzAdam Nathaniel YauchFrederick Jay Rubin | Rick Rubin | Beastie Boys (Performer) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 11 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Licensed to Ill
Who wrote Licensed to Ill?
The three members with Rick Rubin, who is credited on all thirteen tracks. "Slow and Low" is a Run-DMC song, credited to Darryl McDaniels, Joseph Simmons and Rubin.
How high did the singles chart?
"(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" reached number 7 on the Hot 100 and "Brass Monkey" number 48.
How did it sell?
More than nine million copies, and it was Def Jam's fastest selling debut.
Who produced it?
Rick Rubin.
Who engineered it?
Steven Ett, with Joe Blaney mixing.
Why is Rick Rubin on every track?
He produced the record and co-wrote it, which is the largest outside writing share on any Beastie Boys album.
How long is the album?
44:32 across thirteen tracks.