Russell Simmons: The Beastie Boys Could've Been Eminem and Greater

[@williamfarley8434]

The Beasties left because you didnt pay them. That's the answer

[@williamfarley8434]

@Nice Shot dude did you not read my comment correctly?

[@chipum2fleming228]

@Nice Shot You evidently haven't watched any interviews from the Boys cause in every video that question is asked they state that the reason they didn't get along is BECAUSE the payment they got was not what they contracted for, so they left because they weren't paid correctly, even after they introduced LL Cool Jay to Rick Ruben, who then got him under contract

[@williamfarley8434]

@Nice Shot I'm sure your a big fan, I get that. Did you happen to read the book? Mike D is actually friendly towards Rick today but he and Adam discuss leaving Rick and Def Jam. They didn't get paid for that first alblum. How would you feel?

[@williamfarley8434]

@Nice Shot so you didn't read the book? Okay I'm done

[@stephensporman8206]

@Nice Shot nah dude youre wrong. Russell Simmons even came out after this interview and admitted it was because he didnt pay them. Beasties book and documentary also confirmed this. not to mention all the interviews over the years the BB's did and gave the same answer every time

[@programmedwrong3795]

The best thing they did was leave Def Jam. I'm glad that the Beastie Boys didn't go all pop Rap like this fool wanted.

[@Trawizz1]

Yeah, how terrible if Check Your Head & Ill Communication never was made!

[@GOSJSU]

My favorite ones.

[@Peem_pom]

Paul's boutique is greater than license to ill

[@Skidawgz]

Yeah, agree. LTI might have been their worst. Paul's Boutique was a masterpiece and they went on from there.

[@whatsreally219]

@@Skidawgz U couldn't dig the 808 Drum Machine?

[@LetsGoMetsGo33]

why would they wanna be eminem? they were the beastie boys!

[@Betoven81]

stop lying Russell...they left because you wasn't providing that cheddar...till this day you havent payed them for the first album

[@ozapata1977]

+i music *paid

[@chicagosbest82]

Payd! j.k

[@Betoven81]

+Steve Reed palled

[@Betoven81]

+osiris zapata papaya

[@Betoven81]

+1988Steez Pilates

[@JohnnyCotts]

DUDE - how much greater can you get than Paul's Boutique?!?!

[@chihuahuaman7025]

John Cotton everyone says they love Paul’s boutique but the never bought it when it came out because nobody. That’s a fact. Horrible selling record

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

Dave Boily Yeah, Ad Rock said he went into Tower Records after the album was released, and they weren't even selling it. I think the Def Jam guys may have had a hand in it not being promoted properly, as payback for the Beasties leaving Def Jam. Oh, and Russell knows the real reason why they left. He refused to pay them, until they'd made a second album that was just like the first, but the Beasties didn't want to play those characters any more.

[@fortylove68]

John Cotton You can NOT. Amen!

[@uncledarthy7573]

Check your head

[@smoothearl8035]

Dave Boily - speak for yourself! I bought the cassette (it was bright green plastic - very unusual at the time) in the summer of '89 (going into my senior year of HS) and used to pump those jams in my yellow Sony Sports Walkman ... "Got over on Miss Crabtree like my main man Spanky..."

[@Carl_3-D]

And now Eminem uses Licence to Ill for his album cover

[@jordanbenson7497]

@Dakota Thank u

[@mustseenow991]

almost but not same

[@Blondinska]

Eminem? C’mon!

[@chadtrickthereal]

@Dakota Its still just using the cover with just putting his own logo on the plane. That's like using the cover of abby road but just have me put my face on all of there faces

[@markinhifi]

I think we all know the reason the Beasties left Def Jam is because Russel Simmons is a liar and a thief.

[@phillipwattsjr.4714]

+Mark Cersosimo: Plus, the Beasties wanted to put out the records THEY wanted to make, whereas Russel would've tried to make them do more Licence To Ill's, which is obvious in this vid.

[@manvirbiral2034]

@@phillipwattsjr.4714 he didnt pay him because they were breaching the contract by not recording there second album for def jam , the reason they werent recording there follow up is because russell wanted it to be pop and they didnt

[@KittenOfDeath77]

What made them so great was that every album was different, and changed with the times. Check ya head was that perfect transition from lighter 80's style into the heavier rap of the early 90s. Professor Booty was genius. And Ill Communication came in right during the height of hardcore rap, even bringing in Q-tip on tracks lie Get it together. Russell talks about their core? Their core was being funny as hell yet also being able to tackle important issues. IMO, greatest rap group of all time. I bought every album when they came out. Own pretty much everything.

[@chrisbrown3549]

They were THE BEST RAP GROUP EVER . RUSSELL WAS A THEIF TO THEIR TALENT.

[@panrick]

In my opinion, if the Beasties had stayed with Def Jam and let Lior and Rick manage and produce the next Beastie album, I don't think the Beastie's would be bigger than they were, as Russell suggests here. They would have tried to make the Beasties do more of the same. I know Rick is a talented producer but I think he would have wanted the Beastie Boys to be what they were on Licence to Ill again, but they had to change, and Pauls Boutique was quite possibly a perfect hip hop album because it was so different and sample heavy. I don't think Rick would've let an album like that be made under his watch. I really don't. He's a talented producer, no doubt, but I think he would not have encouraged experimentation like Pauls Boutique. He would have wanted License to Ill part 2. Also, Russell saying the Beasties left Def Jam because they were not getting along is complete bullshit. The Beastie Boys have said very clearly that the dispute was over royalties. Russell owed them money and didn't want to pay when they asked for their money. Its as simple as that. Russell demanded they record another album and he refused to pay them.

[@allstar930]

He's right. But, I'd rather have the 3 guaranteed masterpieces (Paul's Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication) than anything he's suggesting. Paul's Boutique was so deep, it actually had me digging back through my dad's Beatles records because I had totally missed "The End" on Abbey Road, for instance. You can't fuck with that.

[@julianmilnes9594]

Well said sir

[@Monika-di7vv]

The End is actually one of my favorite songs by The Beatles

[@rizednb]

man all three of those albums were so next level!!! they wouldn't of been able to do those with Def Jam

[@RockandrollNegro]

You know why the Beasties were out snowboarding and getting high and doing everything except sitting in the studio with Rick Rubin? Because you tried to hustle them out of some Gs "Hustle Simmons". Adrock said it in 1988- "Rick got paid, Russel got paid, even fucking Run got paid and he's not even on the record! But Jam Master Jay who is on the record hasn't got a fucking dime off it, and we've got a flat fee with no royalties." I'm actually glad that Russel Simmons got greedy because maybe "Paul's Boutique" and everything they did after that on Capitol would have never happened. Simmons still had the balls to threaten to release a bunch of unfinished 4-track demos as the "next" Beasties album. IIRC it was supposed to be called "The White House" but Capitol put an end to that shit real quick.

[@pridematters6518]

From the Jam Master Jay bit, to Capitol fighting back, well said!!! You're obviously a knowledgeable fan but what I don't get is how no one here is calling "Hustle" out on the lie that Licensed to Ill (about 10 million) had more sales then all their other albums combined (about 16 million). Not to mention that 1986 was a very different time in terms of album sales. Hard to compare that to say 1998, when Hello Nasty came out, and especially to later post-Napster years. Only 7 or 8 rap albums have ever have topped Licensed to Ill in sales b/c no one buys albums anymore. So, misleading to say the least.

[@blakeroberts7186]

Well said Marvin

[@PadrinoRM]

Licence to ILL was the 3rd album I ever bought and they blew my mind. It was when Paul's Boutique came out that I knew they were untouchable with their delivery just amazing! I am a Beastie Boy for life. RIP MCA much clout to the homie.

[@KingKumari]

absolutely, they should do an UNSUNG segment on them....

[@blkd25]

+AMEN RAH Their not unsung. Everybody knows who they are, and they got everyone's respect. Their in the rock & roll hall of fame.

[@KingKumari]

+blkd25 let me clarify, with an UNSUNG segment,the general public including us old Hip Hop heads would get an inside view of them on a personal level, and find out shit we didn't know about.....

[@antoniosaxon8605]

100% Paul's Boutique is one on the The Best Albums Ever

[@thegrooveoperator]

The Beasties were greater than Eminem....

[@masterhuhwhat]

its the obvious truth. and thank god for tribe called quest releasing an album to show modern hip hop what good hip hop is supposed to be

[@billyhendley1196]

You misspelled "are"

[@arlichar11]

no doubt.... just from a standpoint of making really good songs, its not even close.... its not easy to do what they did, yes em can ryme better , but they delivery is much smoother and just sounds better

[@TLGZOID]

Not even the same world M&M is cheap candy Beatles are Caviar

[@hiiipoweriii2211]

Yeah but they still don't have a great catalog like Eminem.

[@Carlos-xz3vi]

Beastie Boys is about the only rap group from the 80's that aged well imo. Paul's Boutique was so ahead of it's time. Check your head was the foundation of rap rock. Ill Communication and Hello Nasty are 2 of the best music records ever made. Screw Eminem and Jay Z, that's music made for trends. Beastie Boys transcends hip hop.

[@Dru_Won]

Nobody from the 80's aged better than De La Soul . KRS and Tribe/Q Tip are right up there too

[@Filzzy]

The fact check your head was a punk album with a few hip hop tunes thrown in makes it a masterpiece

[@anthonytaylor7928]

Not run DMC .whodini . Fat boys??

[@nyujay2010]

well said

[@dredbull2230]

They are greater than Em. They are legend.

[@eternal0star]

"Eminem noted the impact MCA and the Beasties had on his career. "Adam Yauch brought a lot of positivity into the world and I think it's obvious to anyone how big of an influence the Beastie Boys were on me and so many others," Em said in a statement to MTV News. "They are trailblazers and pioneers and Adam will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, Mike D., and Ad-Rock."

[@KickflipGnasty]

Word.

[@briantaylor9701]

If I were pressed to say one is better than the other, I would say Beastie Boys. But, in general, I don't really think you can make an "apples to apples" comparison between the two for all the obvious reasons, such as style, artisitical goals, etc. Even more important than those, however, and a factor not really talked about in general, is the fact that as part of the pioneering group of artists that created the rap genre in the music industry/commercially, they helped to build as audience and an infrastructure so that the artists following them, like Eminem, could "plug in" and do their thing. Eminem could have been a part of that group built the genre if he had been born a decade or so earlier, he just didn't have to. It's a similar phenomenon as kids having a better standard of living than their parents because they can take what their parents generation passes on and build upon it to hand off to the next generation. I don't have any numbers in front of me, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few acts that may have sold more than the Beastie Boys that you never would have guessed had done that and make you say"WTF?!?" because they don't come close to what the Beastie's bring to the table artistically, talent wise and in overall stature. Russel and DefJam's ability to straddle the line between keeping artistical integrity and doing some "pop" oriented songs to broaden the customer base was a big reason LTI went Diamond and the other big acts had the sales they did at that time. If the Beastie's plugged into an established marketing and distribution apparatus like those that followed them, their sales might have been 150 to 200% higher (i.e. LTI would approach Double Diamond status). While Russel has forgotten more about the music industry than I have ever known, I don't think he's taken that factor into account. Also, I think that all the artistic support, as well as behind the scenes support and guidance from Dr. Dre allowed Eminem to really maximize his abilities, while I get the sense that there is so much more inside the Beastie's that will never be able to be discovered. In the end, both were legends and I am thankful they shared their gifts with the world.

[@mikeseaquest9246]

Dred Bull no beasties...no Eminem. plain and simple

[@Jude74]

Yes, but their music could have reached more people and their records could have been bigger hits if they stayed with a label that understood the genre.

[@RickRijuanaPro]

Uncle Russ look like one of those hairless cats

[@chaichai012]

😂😂😂

[@winnerswonyourbitch5719]

W

[@jemiahjackson2508]

+1988Steez why lol

[@NegroTarantino]

+Rick Rijuana Productions Dumb ass. You have a legendary pioneer speaking and you're trying to be funny. Learn to be quiet and listen to the jewels e's dropping.

[@julianmilnes9594]

I laughed out loud to that one!

[@ggmgf1]

Paul's Boutique is BS???!!!??? Are you kidding me Russell???? Yeah right Russell. And the Beatles would have been bigger and better if you and Rick were involved with them too I guess.

[@KickflipGnasty]

I agree. PB is easily their best record.

[@kixxalot]

Greg Forma Hahaha Russell is a slimey, slick weasel.

[@bws205]

PB is the best hip hop record period

[@shanes8132]

He's saying it's BS because it didn't get the praise it deserved at the time. He's not rippin on it.

[@fabiobalenzano6439]

he was a business dude, he has no fucking clue. Questlove of The Roots described Paul's Boutique as the single biggest reason he wanted to become a rapper and musician. It is usually considered one of the most influential early albums with Run DMC, Jungle Brothers, and a very few others (for me personally De La Soul and ATCQ)

[@jdoom8636]

The Beastie Boys became what they were supposed to be. Amazing. They didnt need Def Jam.

[@TorryFinley]

The Beastie Boys didn't get along but they kept making music together with no lineup changes for 30 years until literally death intervened? Doesn't sound right.

[@L1am21]

+TorryFinley think he meant their manager and Rick Rubin didn't get along.

[@stratmad]

They didn’t get along with you. Maybe it’s because you took their art and didn’t pay them accordingly Russell.

[@GridSweeper]

I lost a lot of respect for Russell with this video.

[@dsorichetti154]

I lost respect for him a long time ago

[@kollusion1]

Yeah, he's losing respect over here too. Sounds like Russ has become all about the paper.

[@CaptainAngelo]

Except Russ is a lying load of shit! Gonna shoot down Beasties? What a fucking chump.

[@alexkasper5029]

Beastie Boys left Def Jam with their integrity and the freedom to do things on their terms. They could have focused on selling a ton of records and catering to the mainstream, but that clearly wasn’t what they wanted. They got to do their own thing and that’s why they’re so beloved and respected. They are also classy enough to never throw shade at Russell even though he totally screwed them over. He should follow suit.

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

Eminem deserves a lot of credit, but he will never make anything that comes close to the psychedelic orgasm of Paul's Boutique.

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

I'm just giving my opinion on the best sounding album to me. Everybody steals, even Eminem will tell you that, it's not always about being the most hardcore.

[@Blackdragon78031]

+Jamal Aden What difference would it make if they were privileged white boys? Are you implying you have to be poor black boys to be considered cool?

[@Blackdragon78031]

Well it looks like 50 million people disagree with you since the Beastie Boys sold over 50 million albums!

[@ggmgf1]

Right.

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

This comment post was supposed to be about the music. Fuck this, I'm outta here.

[@ColaJames]

i love beastie boys, intergalactic is my shit that beat is crazy

[@slewis8338]

+cola james ..Tough record....

[@ColaJames]

***** word thats 1 of my faves too

[@ColaJames]

S Lewis facts love them because they were themselves they didn't try to fit in a box

[@tomunderwood6367]

Cola James Paul Rivera and Hey ladies & Sabotage

[@jamisthebest123]

my favorites gotta be Watcha Want

[@thecapacitors5730]

The Beastie Boys became so much more that just a hip hop group. Simmons could never get his thinking out of urban music. The Beasties transcended his myopic world.

[@pinezall7071]

"got fat bass lines like russell simmons steals money" "remain calm, no alarm, cause my farm ain't fat, so what's up w/that?"

[@Dru_Won]

I'm not a fan of Simmons ,but still neither one of those lines make any actual sense . & Yea I understand the references ...but still. Let's just say the Beastie Boys have never really had amazing technical rhyme writing skills

[@SuperJcclark]

Dru Won you don’t understand the first line? You must not understand hip hop smh....I got “xyz” like “xyz has xyz”.....pretty standard stuff lol...

[@Dru_Won]

@@SuperJcclark I don't understand hip hop.. You gotta be kidding me. I don't think u understand what a dope punchline is . Someone stealing money has no relevance to having phat basslines ..that's like me saying " I got phat basslines like lebron shoots jumpers .." That's garbage lol. A better line would be "I'm still 'rhyming and stealing' like Russell Simmons steals money ". Or " I'll steal on a wack rappers face like Russell Simmons steals money .." or " I snatch basslines off wax like Russell Simmons jacks cash " .. And saying "my farm ain't phat ", in reference to Simmons clothing line Phat Farm , doesn't make sense as a dis . How is that a dis? You don't have a farm and you're not saying "farm " as a metaphor for anything ... and I'm not sure how a farm being fat is a bad thing ..or an actual thing at all. They're just not good punchlines my dude . Punchline disses gotta have a real meaning or double meaning that's a play on words or clever metaphor / simile. These lines have none of this. Pretty standard stuff. Beastie Boys, as dope as they are for what they were - are not at all known for being battle m.c.'s, or nice w punchlines, or writing complex rhymes. *and you don't know what Phat Farm is ? You must not be part of the culture

[@Dru_Won]

@Tin Man yea ... I mean writing rhymes in general. As in writing raps. Us hip hop dudes refer to rap skills in general as "rhyming skills ". Beastie Boys were never known as complex lyricists. I'm aware the stealing money bar doesn't rhyme within itself - ( but it did rhyme w the line that came before it ..) And obviously the phat pharm line does rhyme.

[@Dru_Won]

*I'm still "rhyming and stealing " like Russell Simmons steals money - That's actually pretty dope. Thanks

[@theheartbreakkidliesdownfo5921]

Ill Communication debuted at #1 back in 1994, so...there's that.

[@dave790]

I'm not a fan of Russell, but I admire how he concedes that they made masterpieces despite leaving Def Jam.

[@starwarsunderground1034]

Beasties are better then Eminem."And if ya got Beef ya get capped in the knee"

[@yungcash8800]

U high off the molly 🤣

[@DarylNorthrop]

Funny, the released "Paul's Boutique" after leaving Def Jam - one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.

[@MrKGHunter]

The Beasties made Paul’s Boutique. One of the more innovative albums of any time and place. Pretty sure they went above and beyond Eminem artistically and commercially.

[@yankees29]

Those were actually beats the Dust Brothers made. When the Beasties were in LA hanging out with them the Dust Brothers played the beats which they planned on releasing on there own. The Beasties loved it so much they asked if they could use a lot of it on Paul’s Boutique.

[@adamgoodell5805]

And the truth is the Beasties today feel kind of lukewarm about Paul's Boutique. In their book they speak of it as kind of a failure. I also don't think they feel full ownership of it cuz Dust Brothers were so huge on it.

[@tarun_313]

Abound and beyond my ass lmao. Commercially they ain't even close. Eminem's 2 albums alone outsold their entire catalog 💀💀

[@turntablethoughts4232]

to all us kids in our thirties...license to ill was dope...but when ganster rap stepped in the scene in the early 90s..the beastie boys dropped ill comunication...incorporating punk, and underground rap, (even throwing some monk stuff in their)...just kept it alive in such a organic way...that's their number one for me

[@stuungar4034]

Master P, Bone Thugs, Coolio....3 prime examples of artists who lost their core fanbase by catering too much to the mainstream. Forgetting it was their core that built them in the first place.

[@barneymiller5488]

"Brands...brands...brands...." What's that sound like? "Everyone's rappin' like it's a commercial. Acting like life is a big commercial. So this what I got to say to you all. Be true to yourself and you will never fall". They left Def Jam cause you & Rick DIDN'T PAY THEM! Straight up. Stop lyin,.

[@EMarrs42]

Nailed it.

[@thaproductz]

I disagree even though Russell created DefJam, beastie boys are iconic ! Their records have been great . Not sales , but do sales make it Great !?? I beg to differ . But either way they went to their calling,..intergalactic, sabotage , sho shot , are innovative and great !

[@RICHIECOQUI]

+Luis thaproductz Rick rubin founded def jam

[@thaproductz]

+Richie A that wasn't my point

[@Blickyrobyason]

+Luis thaproductz lol tell that man

[@andyhval828]

Hello Nasty is a hella underrated album too

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

@@andyhval828 Hello nasty! Where you been?

[@canopeaz]

Beastie Boys and Eminem were totally different styles/sounds and were great in their own right without one taking anything from the other. One's greatness took nothing away from the other's. This is apples and oranges.

[@isatherebel1520]

True, I don't understand where the comparisons are coming from, Beastie Boys was rap-rock and hardcore punk, Eminem's style is horrorcore aesthetically and G-Funk stylistically in sound

[@bert3163]

Believe it or not, Russell, the Beastie Boys did fine without you and Rick. Especially from Check Your Head....they survived just fine.

[@BigPicturePictures]

Beastie Boys could've been Slim Jesus and greater -Vlad

[@tonyorozco4864]

W

[@cazprescott9]

Big Picture Pictures 😂😂😂

[@mi9ndovermedia]

Yup..... I lived for def jam b-side records, played them more than I did the radio edits

[@happydayz7857]

They WERE Eminem and greater in many people’s estimation. Ask Eminem if he thinks he’s greater than they were. They’re his idols.

[@tarun_313]

That's called respect. Eminem has always been respectful to his idols. The truth is, he's far bigger than they ever were. His 2 albums alone outsold their entire catalog

[@ZetaMoolah]

Vlad's favorite Def Jam album would be the Beastie Boys...

[@korancebland]

Vlad's a Jew. What did you expect?

[@m.harrison8416]

+Korance Bland right

[@pepmarmotta1639]

+Korance Bland go listen to that garbage drake

[@jebkush1052]

License to ILL is a classic. Put some Respek on it.

[@flynnryan6165]

+ACAY Well Fear of a Black Planet is the only Def Jam album that is as good as anything the Beastie Boys put out on Def Jam.

[@pauldykes1459]

The Beastie Boys ARE greater than Eminem!!

[@programmedwrong3795]

Agree 1,000,00000000000%

[@Piccolo661]

+Amanda Ramsey not even close man

[@programmedwrong3795]

+CALI LION I really like Eminem when he freestyles. But, to say his ALBUMS are better, is insane. If you can't listen to Check your Head, and Ill communication, and Paul's Boutique and hear that it's far better than anything Em had put out, then your nuts. Again, I like when Eminem freestyles, but......

[@Nobody-br1rq]

+Amanda Ramsey infinite? sslp? mmlp? TES?

[@castle4610]

IMHO, it's apples to oranges. Eminem is clearly the better MC. But the Beasties had real flavor as a hop hop group and were originators and musicians. Paul's Boutique is fucking on another level- that may be my favorite album of all time.

[@Walterliquori]

beastie boys did change hip hop and make it better end of story don't forget that was 1986 it you're too young look up what was happening in rap before that and around that time hands down the best record

[@Walterliquori]

+tone yak I disagree the beats and the rhymes from their first record blew all other groups out of the water being they were Jewish dosent mean they suck.on top of it they are real musicians play instruments write music all that have to give credit not be butt hurt because one of the best rap groups is white

[@arianprofit]

Beasties didn’t thank him during their RR HOF speech. No surprise

[@harrylime22]

Honestly the I think Beasties were and are one of the best hip hop groups ever. They stayed true to the sound. Pissed on Eminem, obviously didn’t sell as many tracks.

[@bradpearson8411]

that licensed to ill was a fukn classic

[@asha1195]

The beastie boys will forever be underrated in the black community. Just keepin it real. But they deserve more credit. They were dope

[@mauricejohnson3913]

The Beasties are only underrated to the blks who are not familiar with they music I'm blk and the beasties boys are my shit

[@royaldigitalmedia]

+Asha Fierce You smoking.

[@6AM_YT]

"They could have sold more records..." What difference does that make since Def Jam never paid them? "Paul's Boutique is bullshit" What???

[@KingKumari]

Paul's Boutique was the shit, Russell just mad because he didn't think they would be successful without Def Jam.....

[@kixxalot]

6AM It would have made all the difference to Russell: he would have gotten even more money for himself. I hate weasels like him.

[@SeVinKru3ger]

"Paul Revere" is still in the Playlist!!!!

[@SuperDaveSo]

No disrespect to Eminem, because he's one of the greatest to ever pick up a mic, but there's not a single Beastie Boys fan that would change a single thing about how they did what they did and the path they walked in their long and winding career.

[@ChitownCrazy1000]

The Great Adventures of Slick Rick is Def Jam best album.

[@umbrellacorporationwuhanfa3731]

Yeah it is. But this is "Vlad" tv & he can relate to the beastie boys so...

[@thafoola]

word

[@jamalbryant8099]

+ChitownCrazy1000 you damn right, and epmd, and method man tical

[@jamalbryant8099]

+ChitownCrazy1000 OOOOH and what the album? by redman

[@KingKumari]

+jamal bryant NATION OF MILLIONS PUBLIC ENEMY #1 LICENSED TO ILL#2 SLICK RICK#3 that's my list of Def Jams greatest albums...

[@shermLarock]

Russel allways lies when asked about the Beastie Boys. The fact is they have stayed together longer than any other hip hop group. They are one ofthe most iconic & respected groups ever. They did what they wanted. , including leaving a label that wasn't paying them & wanted to pigeon hold them to a group of WWF wrestlers.

[@robgoodman7303]

Did we need a Beastie Boys movie Rick? Did you see *Disorderlies*? Even *Tougher Than Leather* didn't help RUN-D.M.C.'s image none. I'm glad the Beasties jumped ship and started to grow. License To Ill II would have run them into the ground.

[@Blondinska]

Beastie Boys are greater than Eminem. They could play their instruments.... they did miracles

[@dolphinbuc]

License to Ill was one of few albums I can listen to cover to cover. Huge influence where I'm from. I honestly think everyone in my graduating class bought that album. Not sure about Paul's Boutique, I was in Germany when it was released.

[@victoriasoto1017]

The thing about Paul's Boutique is that even though it wasn't as commercial as License to Ill... it is a huuuuuge pilar to rap and hip-hop music, artistically, production-wise, everything. Even regarding laws! It is the only album that was able to be done that way with the sampling! It was and is a masterpiece and a huge step in the music industry.

[@kollusion1]

> The BBs have always made, or at least been, 'hands on' involved in making their own beats & music, acoustically, & or otherwise. > Seeing these guys live, along with MMM, they really gave a true Hip Hop experience. > If your calling yourself Hip Hop, then you've got to have a DJ & turntables, not just mics. > I could go on...!!

[@ashylarry6537]

I say public enemy. Had the best Album on Def Jam I think.

[@beezydagreat]

it takes a nation of millions is probably the best album on any label. Top 5 hip hop album of all time

[@jamalbryant8099]

+Ashy Larry it take the nation, fear of a black planet, apocalypse 91, the adventure of slick rick, mama said knock you out, strictly business, business as usual, business never personal, and tical are the best albums that came straight outta def jam

[@jamalbryant8099]

+Ashy Larry WHUT The Album by redman, dare iz a darkside

[@BornToBeFamed]

Dmx

[@BornToBeFamed]

Slick rick ofcourse to

[@SuperMarketingPro]

One thing is for sure... The Sugar Hill Gang, Run D.M.C., and the Beastie Boys... and others, made it possible for the crazy paychecks that others saw afterwards. They made it mainstream, which without that... you aren't worth 200mil like Eminem, 700mil like Dr Dre, etc... Because people can listen to, and love your music all they want in the hood, but if there isn't a mainstream presence, that gets people to listen to, and want to hear more from that style... it doesn't make a difference how much better you are then someone else. This is mainly because I see people saying the Beastie Boys were just some privileged white jews that can't hold a candle to Eminem, blah blah... There is no Eminem, heck you probably wouldn't even see rap still around, without those before, laying the groundwork, and making it popular. People seem to forget that, when they want to talk about how the Beastie's sucked, compared to Eminem, etc... Frankly, just like every genre of music... most rap sucks now, just like most rock sucks now, etc... 70s/80s/90s were about as good as we are going to get it seems like. I like a lot of just about everything... heck my favorite singer/musician is Billy Joel. But I loved Pantera, Megadeth, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Ozzy, Old Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Aerosmith, Snoop and Dre, NWA, Run D.M.C., Beastie Boys, and a lot of Eminem's stuff. But the truth of the matter is... you don't have to grow up in a trailer, in the hood, with a crackhead mother, and food stamps, to still create killer music. The Beastie Boys, were actually pretty serious in the recording studio about the actual sound. They were definitely artists. They crafted music like an artist paints... Eminem, created music based on his feelings, and how he grew up. Apples to Oranges... they both have their place.

[@edsilver8605]

I know that Eminem has sold more records and is by and large considered a better rapper by most. However, if you watch some live Beasties vs some live Em and really consider the delivery carefully the Beasties are clearly as good (different, but as good). Also Beasties IMO have done more to influence music overall, but it's easy to argue against my opinion. Em is more of a technician, but I feel like Beasties are just more interesting overall.They are both amazing, so it's really hard for me to hate on either, but I prefer Beasties if forced to choose. It's like comparing Ben and Jerry's to Hagen Daz. They are both fucking amazing. Beasties are just more original to me. It's just my opinion. Em can rap really fast and I think that's why he gets more credit. It's hard to rap like he does, but overall I think Beasties have more influence.

[@DanHintz]

anybody who knows anything about rap/hip-hop will tell you that eminem is a pretender compared to the beasties, who were originators. there is no comparison. the real hip-hop heads know the score.

[@jakilee6163]

​@@DanHintzlol

[@forever.endeavor]

He can’t even lie when bringing up tracks each one he’s saying how amazing each track was.

[@del0373]

Pauls Boutique is the best album. They did not want to be Eminem. He only cares about commercial success.

[@Tails7212]

Beastie Boys never lost their artistic credibility like this guy keeps trying to suggest, they kept evolving further with every album.

[@JasonFontaine]

ANY real Beastie Boy fan KNOWS the BEST Beastie Boy Album was/is and ALWAYS WILL BE: The Masterpiece: Paul's Boutique

[@blacktele7215]

Eminem will never even be in the same ballpark as the Beastie Boys in talent, originality or evolving hip hop.

[@dawolf4748]

License to Ill,was a dope album. Paul Revere STILL holds up! NOW,do I believe Russell's version of things?? Hmmmm...

[@RenniefosterRF]

They are greater. Greatness is not judged by sales or even popularity. Time will continue to reveal the Beastie Boys legacy for hundreds of years to come IMO. Their underground thinking and non commercial way they directed their carreer.. toward the underground, not the pop charts people like Russel coveted. They have fueled the rebellious nature of truly good subcultural music for generations to come. The borgeous can not get it. They are disconnected from where they came.

[@gerrygizzygarcia2572]

Russell didnt even pay them for license to ill look it up thats the main reason they left they wanted more freedom and control and thats what puals boutique was about etc it turned out to be a good decision

[@Shinkajo]

Beastie Boys were way ahead of their time. In a way they still kinda are. A lot of people still don't get them.

[@0ohoaxo0]

beasties will always be bigger than em. Marshall came up in the age of internet, which reaches a bigger audience. RIP Adam

[@MistaTofMaine]

+George T I think the whole internet thing gets lost with a lot of people... Two different eras.

[@Labyrinth1010]

Interesting. When you hear The Beasties tell their side about why they left Def Jam, they don’t say it had anything to do with not get along with anybody. It was that they weren’t getting paid.

[@eugenegutierrez4639]

Beastie boys were greater then mm.

[@vincepreston9304]

Cause I'm High, High plains Plains, drifter! 🤠

[@jade43296]

Please, Eminem pales in comparison to the beastie boys. It's not even a contest.

[@masterelmstreet5886]

Beef boy Only to retards who don't know shit about hip hop. No one knowledgeable of rap in any way, black or white, think Beastie Boys are better rappers than Eminem. NO ONE!! Better musically? That's another story. Then again, I'm talking to a trouser stain named Beef boy. #trollalert

[@RandomGuy-zl5sp]

Master Elm Street they are better than Eminem. Just because eminem spoke about real shit doesn’t mean he’s better.

[@Jamesharveycomics]

I like them both for different reasons

[@holdencaulfield5815]

Just look at a few of the most popular songs in each of their discographies: BEASTIE BOYS: Sabotage Paul Revere Intergalactic Shake Your Rump EMINEM: Stan Lose Yourself The Way I Am Till I Collapse

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

Did you know that Ad Rock discovered LL Cool J? It was he who first listened to a demo tape that he (LL) had sent into Def Jam, and he recommended the label sign him. Oh, and did you know that Run DMC recorded the song 'Slow and Low', before the Beasties recorded their version? There are a few rare copies of the original version on vinyl in existence.

[@cloudair4154]

one of the first albums i ever bought was hello nasty back in 98... i hated it for like a year until i started to really get into it... at this point, i'm 31 and its a classic in my world that first song with the airplane sound at the beginning.. u know its on brah

[@DeanCubed]

+Cloud Air 50 cups of coffee and you know it's on brah

[@phillipwattsjr.4714]

+Cloud Air That's what a lot of people thought of Paul's Boutique, too. People expected it to be Licence To Ill 2 and got something totally different and was pissed...but the more they listened to it, the more they realized how groundbreaking it was! An example of an album that grew on you.

[@ragehead32089]

MONEY MAKIN' MONEY MONEY MAKIN'

[@1angelsigh]

the beastie boys did just fine. they will still putting out hits in the 90s and still respected in the 00s. If MCA hadn't died they might still be a much loved legacy act playing packed shows and headlined festival today. Licensed to Ill was very much of it's time. If they continued in that direction they might have faded out. most of their other output? timeless

[@S_Kapone]

Vlad- "Are you contemplating signing Slim Jesus?"

[@ElGranSanto]

+21pimppin Woah

[@650freeze4]

L

[@tysonbigslyce752]

lmao

[@veegob5287]

Russ wanted License to Ill 2 without Rick Rubin, the Beastie Boys didn’t want to deal with that BS.

[@jebkush1052]

"Do you think Slim Jesus already surpassed Beastie Boys?" - Vlad

[@masterofmashup1737]

That is a joke right?

[@C-Stanz]

+Edward Havre No, it is an absolute universal truth.

[@ILLiteSociety]

get off that kids sack...shits not funny anymore

[@thomasgasik7915]

Beastie boys for life✌️#1

[@pryncep9127]

So much jewels in those last two minutes

[@klubstompers]

Beastie boys were the best hip hop group ever. Nothing came close to what they were doing. They actually made their own music, crazy concept for a "musician".

[@brewer921]

Capitol didn't promote Paul's Botique. That's why it wasn't successful. At least part of it. They were putting everything behind the new Donny Osmond album.

[@kollusion1]

!!! I had to Google this one, just to check !! It sounds about right too (25th April 1989), it was his 10th studio album, & it sounds like a bit of a come back album, having not put anything out since '77!! Shocked, but also glad in a way.

[@kollusion1]

Both albums were released on the same day, 25 04 89 or (04 25 89) !!!

[@Slingersbullseye]

Hip hop not for sale, it's what I learned from the beasties, just be real to yourself and no commerical bs

[@bOmBAsTiK]

Yeah Russ, but you conveniently left out that you weren't PAYING them what they felt you owed!!! And as far as "the culture" goes, "Paul's Boutique" was actually BETTER than "Licensed To Ill" imo, specifically because they stayed true to THEIR culture, rather than performing in black-face like y'all had them doing at Def Jam.They DIDN'T NEED to be fucking Eminem, especially since they were just as influenced by punk as they were by rap. And STILL managed to get into the Rock Hall WITHOUT your bullshit stewardship. Love what you've done for the game Russ, but c'mon bruh...

[@ggmgf1]

Right

[@phillipwattsjr.4714]

+KIRK G They actually would've been LESS popular if they stayed under Russ because he would've forced them to make more LICENCE TO ILL's while the music world changed around them.

[@Crazyfool12]

What has he done for the game?

[@arianprofit]

The Beastie Boys were too good to stick with Def Jam and hold in their creativity.

[@Triboro_Gigolo]

from the sound of this interview, russ sounds bitter that the beaties left. how can you sit there and say pauls boutique was bullshit and it went like ten mill?.. smh.. don't understand that. def jam went to shit cause they put more focus on certain artists than others.

[@sheltonyoung3091]

+henney_dykstra it sold 10 mill cause it appealed to a white audience basically what he was saying they didn't respect the culture cause all they didn't make records for the core of hip hop

[@Triboro_Gigolo]

***** beastie boys are legends... so obviously they did something right. they crossed over into other genres which to m made them even more appealing

[@MistaTofMaine]

+daddyrichten punk group? you never heard High Plaines Drifter or Hey Ladies!!!!?

[@MistaTofMaine]

+henney_dykstra Hits in four decades

[@jasonjohnson6403]

So jerry Heller gets drag thru the mud by people but Russel gets a free pass . Double standard

[@MelodicsRareMusicVid]

rick is way overrated. the artists make rick, rick dont make the artists

[@DavidSmith-rv2hw]

it's a 2-way street, you have to be able to feed off eachother.

[@rightcoast7049]

I think he's great at what he does, but yes the artists made Rick who he s. I've heard he charges insane fees for producing and isn't even there for most of it.

[@derp9193]

I think Russell is wrong right here. "Paul's Boutique" was a masterpiece and although it didn't sell as good, it was a much better record than "License to Ill". He is right about Slayer though as their best records were with Def Jam. As far as being bigger than Eminem, that's ridiculous because Em said the right stuff at the right time and Dre picked up on that. I'm not one of these Eminem groupies either that think he's some kind of god but he sure as hell cemented his legacy.

[@gohstdog23]

"How to get Rich"

[@aliceborealis]

Why would the Beastie Boys ever want to be Eminem?

[@Breakbeats92.5]

That vegan diet is working wonders for Russel, the cat looks great.

[@whups1744]

True. But he's still full of shit lol. Revisionist history right here.

[@TeddyGmoney23]

After following this series, I've come to realize that Russell Simmons is nothing less than a real nigga.

[@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551]

The Beastie Boys invented Hip Hop as it is today.

[@gmr9x556]

RIP MCA

[@ycoz5814]

I grew up, came of age in the Beasties era, loved them because they were funny, clever and unique, and so New York City. By the time Eminem came out, I was an old fart who saw him as a gimmicky flash-in-the-pan. Who did he think he was? The Beasties? It wasn't until later that I delved into Eminem's catalogue, paid attention to the lyricism, flow, wordplay and the brutality in his themes. Eminem is on a different level as an artist. He was in the tradition of a Tupac, or Kendrick, someone who needed to rap as a form of expression, or he'd be in a mental institution. I don't think the Beasties ever approached it like that, they branched out into other things, like acting, or collecting art, etc. Plus, you can say Dre is integral to Eminem, but his voice is still singular. With the Beasties, Rick Rubin was like the Fifth Beastie, and its hard to tell whose voice is coming through. They were having a blast on their records and that was the point, and that's great. With Eminem, in his best work, there's an urgency, you get the feeling he is exorcising demons, and there's a universality in it. That's art.

[@AIWealthACADEMY-AWA]

Beastie boys > RunDmc

[@keithcozart7636]

no

[@shapelessshapefromthebay8759]

You are really smart and original you big genius

[@shapelessshapefromthebay8759]

Respect eminem? Nah, not really.

[@shapelessshapefromthebay8759]

So you wear huggies or pampers?

[@shapelessshapefromthebay8759]

U r

[@mustseenow991]

he didn't give Beastie Boys royalty after their first album was made claiming some BS excuse about breach of contract. Thats why Beastie Boys left him.

[@RoaR3000]

...The Beastie Boys ARE Greater Than Eminem,Stop Lying Russel.Unfortunatly ,IF they stayed on Def Jam,They would have been even More worse off...

[@phillipwattsjr.4714]

+RoaR3000 Yup...Russel would have had them do more records like Licence To Ill. They would've left sooner or later because of being creatively stifled.