Hello Nasty Explained

Hello Nasty
Type:studio
Artist:Beastie Boys
Cover:Beastie Boys - Hello Nasty.png
Alt:The Beastie Boys laying in a tuna can with the sun in the background.
Recorded:1997–1998
Studio:
  • G-Son (Los Angeles)
  • Oscilloscope Laboratories (New York City)
Genre:Alternative hip hop
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:The In Sound From Way Out!
Prev Year:1996
Next Title:Scientists of Sound (The Blow Up Factor Vol. 1)
Next Year:1999

Hello Nasty is the fifth studio album by the American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on July 14, 1998, by Grand Royal and Capitol Records. The album sold 681,000 copies in its first week, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and won Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (for "Intergalactic") at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards. In Beastie Boys Book (2018), Ad-Rock said he felt Hello Nasty was the group's "best record".[1]

Background

The album was released on July 14, 1998, just over four years after the previous Beastie Boys album, Ill Communication. It marked the addition of DMC champion Mix Master Mike to the group's line-up, and was the last time the band worked with percussionist Eric Bobo or a co-producer. There are several guest vocalists on the album, including Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto on "I Don't Know", and Jamaican dub musician Lee "Scratch" Perry on "Dr. Lee, PhD".

The title of the album was allegedly inspired by the receptionist of the band's NY-based publicity firm Nasty Little Man, who would answer the phone with the greeting "Hello, Nasty."[2] In addition, the title is mentioned in the song "Putting Shame in Your Game". The cover art depicts the three Beastie Boys (Horovitz, Yauch, and Diamond, from left to right) stuffed in an aluminum sardine tin and getting baked in the sun. The band references this image in the song "Body Movin'", with the lyrics: "MCA, where have you been?/Packed like sardines in a tin."

There were CD, double-vinyl LP, MiniDisc, and cassette tape releases of the album. One of the cassette formats was packaged for a limited run by BioBox in a small cardboard box, rather than a clear plastic case, in an attempt to distinguish the retail product and augment sales.[3]

Critical reception

Hello Nasty received mostly positive reviews upon its release. Caroline Sullivan, writing for The Guardian, named it the "Pop CD of the Week" and said it "fills a gap created by the current profusion of serious rock bands like Radiohead; elbowing its way up front, [and letting] rip with adolescent vigour." She went on to summarize the record as "the perfect party soundtrack by the perfect party band." Selects John Harris praised the Beastie Boys' lyrics for being as "fantastically off-beam as ever", while at the same time noting that they had "broadened their musical vistas yet further".[4] Although AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine felt the album's ending was "a little anticlimactic", he also saw Hello Nasty as a progressive step forward from the group's 1992 LP Check Your Head and praised the contributions of the group's new recruit, Mix Master Mike: "Hiring DJ Mixmaster Mike turned out to be a masterstroke; he and the Beasties created a sound that strongly recalls the spare electronic funk of the early '80s, but spiked with the samples and post-modern absurdist wit that have become their trademarks." In his review for Entertainment Weekly, David Browne highlighted the album's multi-genre sound as its most engaging aspect:

Hello Nasty is a sonic smorgasbord in which the Beasties gorge themselves with reckless abandon. They dabble in lounge-pop kitsch (the loser put-down "Song for the Man"), make like a summit of Santana and Traffic (the Latin-flavored "Song for Junior"), and subtly incorporate a drum-and-bass shuffle into the mix ("Flowin' Prose"). The melange makes for a looser, more free-spirited record than their earlier albums; the music invites you in, rather than threatening to shut you out.

Accolades

*
  • denotes an unranked list
    Accolades for Hello Nasty
    PublicationCountryAccoladeYearRank
    Les InrockuptiblesFranceBest 50 Albums of the Year[5] 199844
    Melody MakerUnited KingdomBest 50 Albums of the Year[6] 19982
    MixmagUnited KingdomBest 10 Albums of the Year[7] 19985
    MusikexpressGermanyBest 50 Albums of the Year[8] 199822
    MuzikUnited KingdomBest 75 Albums of the Year[9] 19982
    NMEUnited KingdomBest 50 Albums of the Year[10] 19982
    PitchforkUnited StatesBest 50 Albums of the Year[11] 199820
    QUnited KingdomBest Albums of the Year[12] 1998
    RocksoundFranceBest 50 Albums of the Year[13] 199817
    Rolling StoneUnited StatesBest 5 Albums of the Year[14]
    The Essential Recordings of the 90s[15]     		1998
    —    		2
    *
    SelectUnited KingdomBest 30 Albums of the Year[16] 199813
    SPINUnited StatesBest 20 Albums of the Year[17] 199810
    TechnikartFranceBest 10 Albums of the Year[18] 19982
    The FaceUnited KingdomBest 20 Albums of the Year[19] 199811
    The Village VoiceUnited StatesAlbums of the Year Poll[20] 19989
    UncutUnited KingdomBest 40 Albums of the Year[21] 199812

    Personnel

    Adapted from the AllMusic credits.[22]

    Charts

    Weekly charts

    Weekly chart performance for Hello Nasty
    Chart (1998)Peak
    position
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    Danish Albums (IFPI Denmark)[23] 6
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    European Albums (Billboard)[24] 1
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    Year-end charts

    1998 annual chart performance for Hello Nasty
    Chart (1998)Position
    Australian Albums (ARIA)[25] 70
    Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[26] 29
    Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[27] 55
    Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[28] 84
    German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[29] 33
    New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[30] 25
    Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 72
    UK Albums (OCC)[32] 58
    US Billboard 200[33] 13

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: 15 Things We Learned From Reading 'Beastie Boys Book'. Draper. Jason. 2018-10-29. uDiscoverMusic. en-US. 2019-06-12. June 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190613221915/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/beastie-boys-facts-beastie-boys-book/. live.
    2. Web site: Beastie Boys' 'Hello Nasty' Album Celebrates 15th Anniversary. TheDrop.fm. Trent. Fitzgerald. July 14, 2013 . 'Hello Nasty' — named after New York-based publicity firm Nasty Little Man for the way the receptionist answered the phone. January 31, 2014. February 25, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140225051140/http://thedrop.fm/beastie-boys-album-hello-nasty-celebrates-15th-anniversary/. live.
    3. Alternative Boxes Blossom Anew . 67 . Olson . Catherine Applefeld . August 15, 1998 . . 110 . 33 . May 3, 2022 . May 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220503203750/https://books.google.com/books?id=EwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA67 . live .
    4. Old skool reunion . . 98 . August 1998 . Harris . John . John Harris (critic) . 88.
    5. Web site: Les Inrockuptibles Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . December 1, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061201031910/http://disques.de.l.annee.free.fr/inrocks.html#1998 . live .
    6. Web site: Melody Maker Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . July 25, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190725183219/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mmlists_p2.htm . live .
    7. Web site: Mixmag Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 15, 2009 . August 16, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090816193407/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mixmag.html#Mixmag_Recordings_Of_1998 . live .
    8. Web site: Musikexpress Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718215235/http://rz-home.de/~tommi.s/mes95.htm#1998k . July 18, 2011 .
    9. Web site: Muzik Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 15, 2009 . September 27, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090927143344/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/muzik.htm#1998 . live .
    10. Web site: NME Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . April 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200428002340/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/1998.html . live .
    11. Web site: Pitchfork - 50 Best Albums of 1998 . February 12, 2018 . pitchfork.com . July 15, 2021 . October 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211005150602/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-50-best-albums-of-1998/?page=4 . live .
    12. Web site: Q Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . August 17, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120817105536/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlists.html#1998 . live .
    13. Web site: Rocksound Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . May 7, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160507133630/http://disques.de.l.annee.free.fr/rocksoun.html#1998 . live .
    14. Web site: Rolling Stone Albums Of The Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100723004927/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/rolling.htm . July 23, 2010 .
    15. Web site: Rolling Stone, The Essential Recordings of the 90s . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 15, 2009 . July 18, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718180414/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/rstone.html#Recordings_of_the_'90s . live .
    16. Web site: Select Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . June 28, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110628060704/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/select.html . live .
    17. Web site: Spin Albums Of The Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . July 29, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130729062255/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/spinend.htm#1998 . live .
    18. Web site: Technikart Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . October 15, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091015000350/http://disques.de.l.annee.free.fr/technik.html#1998 . live .
    19. Web site: The Face Albums Of The Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . May 20, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080520085748/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/theface.htm#1998 . live .
    20. Web site: The Village Voice Albums Of The Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . October 31, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091031112425/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/Village98.htm . live .
    21. Web site: Uncut Albums of the Year, 1998 . rocklistmusic.co.uk . August 11, 2009 . April 28, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110428185601/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/uncut.htm#1998 . live .
    22. Hello Nasty - Credits
    23. Hits of the World . . . August 22, 1998 . 110 . 34 . 41 . 0006-2510 . May 4, 2013.
    24. Hits of the World . . . July 25, 1998 . 110 . 30 . 63 . 0006-2510 . May 4, 2013.
    25. Web site: ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 1998 . . May 4, 2013 . March 3, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175804/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-1998.htm . live .
    26. Web site: Jahreshitparade 1998 . Hung Medien . austriancharts.at . May 4, 2013 . de . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001953/http://www.austriancharts.at/1998_album.asp . live .
    27. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1998 (Albums) . Hung Medien . ultratop.be . May 4, 2013 . nl . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044733/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1998&cat=a . live .
    28. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 1998 . Hung Medien . dutchcharts.nl . May 4, 2013 . nl . March 6, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306204133/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1998&cat=a . live .
    29. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. September 8, 2016. March 15, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160315212814/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1998. live.
    30. Web site: Top Selling Albums of 1998. RIANZ. November 16, 2021. January 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200125162408/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums%3Fchart%3D3859. live.
    31. Web site: Årslista Album (inkl samlingar) – År 1998 . Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening . May 4, 2013 . sv . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221230954/http://www.hitlistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=42&dfom=19980001 . February 21, 2014 .
    32. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1998. Official Charts Company. May 31, 2021. August 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200818054800/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/19980104/37502/. live.
    33. The Year in Music 1998 – Top Billboard 200 Albums . . . January 2, 1999 . 110 . 52 . 92 . 0006-2510 . May 4, 2013.
    34. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999. Billboard. January 2, 2013. May 31, 2021. January 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150124045933/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/the-billboard-200. live.

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