On July 14, 1998, the Beastie Boys released their fifth major studio album.  Named after their publicist (Nasty Little Man), Hello Nasty is 22 tracks of hip-hop genius.  This B-Boy endeavor features tracks by Lee "Scratch"  Perry (father of dub reggae) and a mellow serenade my MCA entitled "I Don't  Know".

Hello Nasty shows the Beastie Boys punk roots through tracks such as "Remote Control" and "Shame in Your Game".  You can also depict their  defining hip-hop sound in their first single off the album "Intergalactic". Following the release of Ill Communication 4 years ago, Hello Nasty definitely shows signs of old-school hip-hop funkadelia.

There are some shockers on the album as well.  Songs like "Song For the Man", "I Don't Know" and "Instant Death" show the maturity of these hip-hop pioneers.  You must remember, it has been 12 years since the release of such party themes as "Fight for Your Right (to Party)" and "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn".  Two of the Beastie's are now married and MCA has a child.  They are no longer the snot-nosed, prank-pulling adolescents of the License to Ill era.  And this album shows just how cool they are now?possibly their best album to date.

AdRock has been credited with most of the sounds on the album and he lets you know this in "Shame in Your Game" with the lyric:  "I'm the Benihana chef on the SP-12, chop the f*ck out the beats left on the shelf.  You be like 'Hello Nasty, where you been?  Its time you brought the grimy beats out the dungeon.'" As usual, the Beastie Boys lyrics are fresh, funny and make you think.

The Beastie Boys also had a new turntablist on this album.  Mix Master Mike, of the Invisible Scratch Pickles, spins the wax on this album, and he does not disappoint.  He is renowned for his work in the DJ field.  He has won numerous World Championships and his peers consider him "one of the best."  His style works well with the Beastie's and he even has a track in his honor titled "Three MC's and One DJ."

This album is a must buy for hardcore Beastie Boy fans and for those who have only loved them since "Sabotage."  It is 22 tracks, it is fresh, it never bores and it gets you hip-hopped up.  Hello Nasty?  Hello indeed.

Review by Ben Hollaway 
E-Mail:ben.hollaway@gtecn.com