Artist page · 06/07/2026

Beastie Boys

New YorkFormed in 1979Funk/Soul/RnB/Disco9 vinyl albums
Formed in 1979 in New York, Beastie Boys blended hardcore punk energy with emerging hip hop beats, shaping alternative hip hop and East Coast scenes through four decades.
9Albums on Vinyles.com
2182Discogs releases
3.5MLast.fm listeners

About

Beastie Boys, Pioneering New York hip hop from punk roots to global stages.

10 vinyl LPs including Licensed To Ill & Paul's Boutique; original US pressings often sought after.

Beastie Boys originated in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York, emerging initially from a hardcore punk background. The trio featuring Michael Diamond (Mike D), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock), later incorporated DJs like Mix Master Mike and Eric Bobo. They transitioned fully into hip hop with their 1986 debut LP Licensed To Ill, the first hip hop album reaching number one in the US. Throughout their career, they released 10 vinyl albums encompassing styles from funk to experimental hip hop, with a legacy that includes global tours and milestone recordings.

The group remained active until 2014, ending after Adam Yauch's death in 2012.

Discography

Beastie Boys — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Beastie Boys's career.

01
Sabotage
Sabotage
Ill Communication · 1994
02
Fight for Your Right
Fight for Your Right
Licensed To Ill · 1986
03
No Sleep Till Brooklyn
No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Licensed To Ill · 1986
04
Intergalactic
·
05
Brass Monkey
Brass Monkey
Licensed To Ill · 1986
06
Sure Shot
Sure Shot
Ill Communication · 1994
07
Girls
Girls
Licensed To Ill · 1986
08
Ch-Check It Out
Ch-Check It Out
To The 5 Boroughs · 2004

The essentials

The 3 Beastie Boys albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1986
Vinyl, LP, Album
Licensed To Ill

Their landmark debut and the first hip hop LP to top U.S. charts, combining punk rawness and hip hop rhythms.

13 tracksDef Jam Recordings labelIncludes 'Fight For Your Right'Multiple vinyl pressings
#2 · 1989
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Special Edition
Paul's Boutique

Known for dense sampling and intricate production, it features classic tracks with extended grooves and layered sounds.

15 tracksReleased on Beastie Boys RecordsIncludes 'Shake Your Rump' and 'Hey Ladies'Original US & French pressings
#3 · 1992
Vinyl, LP, Album
Check Your Head

A mix of hip hop, punk, and funk featuring band instrumentation and turntable work, deepening their alternative hip hop style.

20 tracksGrand Royal labelIncludes 'So What'cha Want'European and US pressings

Go further

Artists similar to Beastie Boys

Artists who share part of Beastie Boys's musical DNA.

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

To The 5 Boroughs
Master release · LP · 2004
Market position i
30,84 €
Min price 10 €Max price 50 €
Average price 30,84 €
Only 93 copies for sale on Discogs
1 644 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Ill Communication
Master release · LP · 1994
Market position i
29,95 €
Min price 15 €Max price 73 €
Average price 29,95 €
Only 73 copies for sale on Discogs
3 180 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Check Your Head
Master release · LP · 1992
Market position i
52,20 €
Min price 17 €Max price 80 €
Average price 52,20 €
Only 45 copies for sale on Discogs
4 087 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Paul's Boutique
Master release · LP · 1989
Market position i
61,76 €
Min price 39 €Max price 74 €
Average price 61,76 €
Only 25 copies for sale on Discogs
4 715 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Licensed To Ill
Master release · LP · 1986
Market position i
18,59 €
Min price 7 €Max price 44 €
Average price 18,59 €
Only 71 copies for sale on Discogs
5 788 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
The Mix-Up
Master release · LP · 2007
Market position i
30,67 €
Min price 24 €Max price 35 €
Average price 30,67 €
Only 20 copies for sale on Discogs
1 292 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
To The 5 BoroughsLP, Album, Stereo
Capitol Records Europe · 2004 7243 5 78674 1 3 🔥 Standard edition
1 644 want · 2 006 have · ratio 0,8
49,95 €
To The 5 BoroughsLP, Album
Capitol Records US · 2004 7243 5 84571 1 7, C1 7243 5 84571 1 7 Original pressing
1 644 want · 2 006 have · ratio 0,8
27,19 €
Ill CommunicationLP, Album
Capitol Records UK & Europe · 1994 7 243 8 28599 1 8, EST 2229 🔥 Standard edition
3 180 want · 1 896 have · ratio 1,7
73,00 €
Ill CommunicationLP, Album
Grand Royal US · 1994 GR006, GR 006 Original pressing
3 180 want · 1 896 have · ratio 1,7
19,99 €
Check Your HeadLP, White Label
Not On Label (Beastie Boys Self-released) US · 1992 CYH001 (L-39594) 🔥 Standard edition
4 087 want · 2 294 have · ratio 1,8
Check Your HeadLP, Album
Grand Royal Europe · 1992 EST 2171, 164-7 98938 1 Original pressing
4 087 want · 2 294 have · ratio 1,8
17,40 €
Paul's BoutiqueLP, Album
Beastie Boys Records France · 1989 064 7 91743 1, 7 91743 1, 7917431 🔥 Standard edition
4 715 want · 4 331 have · ratio 1,1
74,00 €
Paul's BoutiqueLP, Album
Capitol Records US · 1989 C1-91743 Original pressing
4 715 want · 4 331 have · ratio 1,1
73,52 €

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Beastie Boys

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

They never allowed their music to be used for commercials and likely never will.
— Adam Yauch's testament
01Milestone

Licensed To Ill breaks new ground

Licensed To Ill, released in 1986 on Def Jam Recordings, was the first hip hop album to reach number one on US charts, blending punk attitude with rap in New York studios.

1986New York
02Studio

Paul's Boutique's intricate sampling

Paul's Boutique was crafted with dense sampling and layered production, released in 1989 on Beastie Boys Records, showcasing a shift toward experimental hip hop beats.

1989United States
03Label

Grand Royal label foundation

In 1993, Beastie Boys founded Grand Royal, signing acts like Luscious Jackson before ceasing operation in 2001 due to financial challenges.

1993United States
04Release

Hot Sauce Committee Part Two release

Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, released in 2011, featured evolved hip hop styles and was praised for its production, continuing the group's legacy.

2011United States

Records by Beastie Boys

See all

FAQ

FAQ: Beastie Boys on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

When did Beastie Boys form and where are they from?

Beastie Boys formed in 1979, originating from Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York.

Which vinyl albums by Beastie Boys are considered essential?

Licensed To Ill (1986), Paul's Boutique (1989), and Check Your Head (1992) are key vinyl albums with lasting influence.

What was unique about Licensed To Ill's success?

Licensed To Ill was the first hip hop album to reach number one on the US charts, marking a milestone for the genre.

Are there important vinyl pressings of Paul's Boutique in Europe?

Yes, Paul's Boutique has original pressings released in France and the US that are sought after by collectors.

What are typical price ranges for Ill Communication vinyl pressings?

Original US pressings of Ill Communication can be found from about 19.99€ to 73.00€, varying with condition and rarity.

How many vinyl LPs did Beastie Boys release?

The Beastie Boys released at least 10 vinyl LP albums spanning from 1986 to their last releases in the 2010s.

Where were key Beastie Boys albums recorded or released?

Major albums like Licensed To Ill and Paul's Boutique were recorded and initially released in the United States, especially New York.

What impact did Adam Yauch's passing have on the group?

Adam Yauch's death in 2012 effectively ended the band, with the remaining members announcing its conclusion in 2014.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 06/07/2026