Brass Monkey

Recorded in 1986 in New York City during the Licensed to Ill sessions at Chung King Studios, with Rick Rubin producing and the Beastie Boys co-producing and performing the track. Released as a single from Licensed to Ill, it became one of the group’s defining party records and helped extend the album’s crossover success beyond hip-hop audiences. It also became their third single to reach the Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of the Beastie Boys’ signature songs and a durable live and compilation staple. The track’s hook and chant-driven structure have kept it in circulation through covers, samples, and sports- and pop-culture use.