Beastie Boys Celebrate 40 Years of “Licensed to Ill” With Vinylphyle Reissue

Ad-Rock and Mike D will stop by The Daily Show and the SmartLess podcast next week.

Beastie Boys Celebrate 40 Years of Licensed to Ill With Vinylphyle Reissue

Ad-Rock and Mike D will stop by The Daily Show and the SmartLess podcast next week.

Words: Will Schube

Photo: Sunny Bak/Def Jam Recordings

November 12, 2026

photo by Sunny Bak / Def Jam Recordings, 1986

Beastie Boys’ debut LP Licensed to Ill was released 40 years ago this weekend. To celebrate the milestone, the album from Ad-Rock, MCA, and Mike D will receive a Vinylphyle reissue featuring mastering from original sources, set to be released via Def Jam Recordings/UMe on March 18. The new release was pressed on 180-gram black vinyl and is housed in a gatefold tip-on wrapped jacket. The collection also includes a four-panel insert with scans of the original tape boxes, a band-logo etching on the vinyl, and all-new liner notes by Chuck D.

Additionally, to support the release, Ad-Rock and Mike D are kicking off a media tour next week, stopping by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and SmartLess. Pre-order the 40th anniversary vinyl edition of Licensed to Ill here.