Paul's Boutique  

From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

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Paul's Boutique is an album by American rap group the Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989 (see 1989 in music). The Beastie Boys' previous album, Licensed to Ill, had been enormously popular and received critical acclaim among both mainstream and hip hop critics, although its simple, heavy beats and comedically juvenile lyrics caused it to be labeled as "frat rap". Paul's Boutique was initially considered a commercial failure by the executives at Capitol Records, as its sales did not match that of their previous record, and Capitol eventually pulled the plug on promotion of the album. Despite this, it gained a cult following in the years after its release and became known as their artistic breakthrough. Highly varied lyrically and sonically, the album secured the Beastie Boys' place as critical favorites in the then still-dormant field of popular hip hop.