Episode 193 is here, and we’re wrapping up our deep dive into Paul’s Boutique by the one and only Beastie Boys.

From sample overload to lyrical left turns, this album is a wild ride—and we’ve got thoughts. Lots of ‘em. Did it live up to the hype? Did we get lost in the layers? Did we try (and fail) to count all the samples? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Spin it, stream it, and come hang with us as we close the book on one of the most unique albums of the ‘80s..

Paul’s Boutique is the second album by the American hip-hop group Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989, by Capitol Records. Produced by the Beastie Boys and the Dust Brothers, the album’s composition makes extensive use of samples, drawn from a wide range of genres including funk, soul, rock and jazz. It was recorded over two years at Matt Dike’s apartment and the Record Plant in Los Angeles.

Paul’s Boutique did not match the sales of the group’s 1986 debut Licensed to Ill, and was promoted minimally by Capitol. However, despite its initial commercial failure, it became recognized as the group’s breakthrough achievement, with its innovative lyrical and sonic style earning the group a position as critical favorites within the hip-hop community. Sometimes described as the “Sgt. Pepper of hip-hop”, Paul’s Boutique has placed on several lists of the greatest albums of all time, and is viewed by many critics as a landmark album of golden age hip-hop and a seminal work in sampledelia.

Beastie Boys
Mike D – vocals, drums
MCA – vocals, bass
Ad-Rock – vocals, guitars

Production
The Dust Brothers – production, turntables
Mario Caldato Jr. – engineer, production on “Ask for Janice”
Allen Abrahamson – assistant engineer

Artwork
Ricky Powell – photography
Jeremy Shatan – photography
Nathaniel Hörnblowér – photography
Dominick Watkins – photography

Intro Music/Wheel Spin Music by LiteSaturation from Pixabay