Paul's Boutique is the second studio album by hip hop group Beastie Boys, released July 25, 1989 on Capitol Records. Featuring production by the Dust Brothers, recording sessions for the album took place at Mario G's Studio in Los Angeles and The Opium Den in Brooklyn, New York from 1988 to 1989, after which the recordings underwent audio mixing at the Manhattan-based Record Plant Studios.
Paul's Boutique was initially considered a commercial failure by the executives at Capitol Records, as its sales did not match that of the group's previous record, and the label eventually decided to stop promoting the album. Despite this, however, it gained a cult following in the years following its release and became known as their artistic breakthrough. Highly varied lyrically and sonically, Paul's Boutique secured the Beastie Boys's place as critical favorites in the nascent field of popular hip hop and has been recognized by many as the group's magnum opus. The album's rankings near the top of many publications' "best albums" lists in disparate genres has given Paul's Boutique critical recognition as a landmark album in hip hop. In 2003, the album was ranked number 156 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. On January 27, 1999, Paul's Boutique was certified double platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. - Wiki