What can i say about the Beastie Boys, three white jewish guys from New York who somehow became one of the coolest hip hop acts of all time, hehehe whatever, you want fun catchy beats, silly lyrics, and tracks that make you wanna move your ass, then they are your guys. Hello Nasty is one of those albums that just grabs you from the get go with “Super Disco Breakin'”, what a cute little intro track, its like they’re saying hey we’re back and we’re ready to party.
“The Move” is such a weird track, its like they recorded it in a garage with all these start and stop moments, and then out of nowhere you get this spanish novela sample at the end, what the fuck? hahaha but thats the beauty of the Beasties, they just throw shit at the wall and somehow it all sticks. Then you get “Remote Control” which is just solid hip hop, nothing fancy but it works.
“Song for the Man” with Brooke Williams is where things get interesting, its almost like a jazzy ballad but with that Beastie Boys twist, slow and upbeat at the same time, really cool track. “Body Movin'” is where the album really kicks into gear, fuck yeah 4 times with the left 4 times with the right, if this track cant make your body move then you’re probably dead, its fun and silly with a kick ass beat that just makes you wanna dance like an idiot.
But then comes “Intergalactic” and holy shit, this is the track that made me realize hip hop could be whatever the fuck you wanted it to be, its got that old school 80’s feel with the silliest lyrics and the most catchiest hook ever, its like they took everything good about rap and just made it fun as hell, the rapping is so easy to follow along that even your grandma could probably spit a few bars.
The rest of the album is just as eclectic, “And Me” is weird as hell but super catchy, “Three MC’s and One DJ” sounds like it was made by a beatboxer having a seizure but in the best possible way. The whole album is like a party that never stops, you can dance to it, nod your head to it, or just sit back and appreciate how these three goofballs managed to make hip hop accessible to everyone.
This isnt just gangsta rap with harsh lyrics and fat beats, this is hip hop that can be nerdy, fun, weird, danceable, hell it can be anything it wants to be. Hello Nasty proved to me when i was younger that music doesnt have to be serious all the time, sometimes you just need something that makes you smile and gets your ass moving. The production is top notch, the beats are infectious, and the Beasties just sound like they’re having the time of their lives.
Overall this is a must have album, especially if you’re new to hip hop or rap, its the perfect entry point to start enjoying some of the best the genre has to offer. It made an effect on me when i was younger and still today its a blast from outerspace, you could even say its intergalactic! If you dont have this album you’re missing out on pure fun, now go fucking listen to it.