Nearly three decades after its debut, the Beastie Boys’ Licensed To Ill album has been certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The seminal album, which was initially released in 1986 under Def Jam Records, has sold over 10 million copies as of March 4, 2015
In ’86, Licensed To Ill became the first Hip Hop album to top Billboard charts. One year later, it was certified platinum by the RIAA.
Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “MCA” Yauch and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz worked closely with producer Rick Rubin and the head of Def Jam at the time, Russell Simmons to complete the album. Both Run and DMC from Run DMC are credited as contributors to the album, as well.
AD LOADING...
The trio was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, becoming the third Hip Hop associated act to achieve the feat. One month later, Adam Yauch passed away due to cancer of the parotid salivary gland. Following his death, Licensed To Ill and other Beastie Boys’ albums saw an increase in sales and chart position on Billboard.
The Beastie Boys join Eminem, 2Pac, Outkast, MC Hammer and The Notorious B.I.G. as the only Hip Hop artists to reach diamond status.
For more Beastie Boys coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
AD LOADING...
