“Brass Monkey” is a rowdy, up-tempo hip-hop track centered around a cheap cocktail of the same name, typically a mix of malt liquor and orange juice. Delivered with humorous flair and raucous energy, the song became one of the standout tracks from the Beastie Boys’ 1986 debut album, Licensed to Ill. It helped cement their reputation as the first successful white rap group to gain mainstream traction while giving hip-hop a new kind of punk-inspired flair.
Brass Monkey Lyrics And Meaning
Here’s the full lyrics of “Brass Monkey” by the Beastie Boys, broken down into sections (verses and chorus), with explanations after each section to explain the meaning clearly and completely.
Chorus
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
The repeated chorus celebrates the wild, funky drink “Brass Monkey” and their love for it.
Verse 1
Brass
Got this dance that’s more than real
Drink Brass Monkey, here’s how you feel
You put your left leg down, your right leg up
Tilt your head back, let’s finish the cup
They introduce a fun dance that goes with drinking Brass Monkey—getting physical and loosening up.
Verse 2
MCA with the bottle, D rocks the can
Ad-Rock gets nice with Charlie Chan
We’re offered Moët, we don’t mind Chivas
Wherever we go, we bring the Monkey with us
They name-drop drinks and their crew, making it clear that Brass Monkey is their go-to drink no matter where they go.
Verse 3
Ad-Rock drinks three, Mike D is D
Double R foots the bill, most definitely
I drink Brass Monkey and I rock well
I got a castle in Brooklyn, that’s where I dwell
Each member shows off their style, drinking habits, and status, boasting a bit about where they live and who pays.
Chorus
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Reinforces the idea that they’re addicted to this wild and funky lifestyle with Brass Monkey.
Verse 4
‘Cause I drink it anytime and any place
When it’s time to get ill, I pour it on my face
Monkey tastes def when you pour it on ice
Come on, y’all, it’s time to get nice
They’ll drink it anywhere, even pouring it on their face; they say it tastes great on ice and it gets the party started.
Verse 5
Coolin’ by the lockers, getting kind of funky
Me and the crew, we’re drinking Brass Monkey
This girl walked by, she gave me the eye
I reached in the locker, grabbed the Spanish Fly
I put it in the Monkey, mixed it in a cup
Went over to the girl, “Yo, baby, what’s up?”
I offered her a sip, the girl, she gave me lip
It did begin, the stuff wore in and now she’s on my tip
Describes trying to impress a girl with a drink (controversially including Spanish Fly), leading to her showing interest after drinking it.
Chorus
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Again highlights their obsession and connection to the Brass Monkey drink.
Verse 6
Step up to the bar, put the girl down
She takes a big gulp and slaps it around
You take a sip, you can do it, you get right to it
We had a case in the place and we went right through it
They talk about drinking heavily and quickly with girls at the bar, showing off how much they can handle.
Verse 7
You got a dry martini, you thinkin’ you’re cool
I’ll take your place at the bar, I smack you off your stool
I’ll down a .40 dog in a single gulp
And if you got beef, you’ll get beat to a pulp
They mock more refined drinkers (like martini fans) and show their toughness and street-party vibe.
Verse 8
Monkey and parties and reelin’ and rockin’
Def-def girls-girls, all y’all jockin’
The song and dance keeping you in a trance
If you don’t buy my record, I got my advance
Talks about how girls love their style, and even if the audience doesn’t buy the record, they already got paid.
Verse 9
I drink it, I think it, I see it, I be it
I love Brass Monkey but I don’t give D it
We got the bottle, you got the cup
Come on, everybody, let’s get f-
They embrace the drink and the lifestyle fully, inviting everyone to party—but cut off the final word (“f-“) for effect.
Final Chorus (Repeated)
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Closes with more of the signature chorus—emphasizing the fun, crazy energy of the track and their love for Brass Monkey.
Popularity in the 1980s
Though not released as a commercial single in all territories, “Brass Monkey” was a fan favorite and became a cult hit. Licensed to Ill soared to #1 on the Billboard 200, the first rap album to do so, and “Brass Monkey” contributed heavily to that success. It received major airplay on radio and MTV, and became a staple in clubs and parties, particularly among rebellious teens and college crowds.
Learn More: Big Iron On His Hip Lyrics
📜 History and Origin
- Release Date: November 15, 1986
- Album: Licensed to Ill
- Label: Def Jam Recordings
- Producer: Rick Rubin
At the time of “Brass Monkey’s” release, the Beastie Boys—Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz—were transitioning from New York punk roots to hip-hop, blending their anarchic style with beat-driven rhymes. Under the guidance of Def Jam founder Rick Rubin, they crafted a sound that combined rock samples, drum machines, and lyrical irreverence.
The mid-1980s was a fertile time for hip-hop, with Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, and Public Enemy rising to prominence. The Beastie Boys added a new dimension: white suburban mischief blended with authentic hip-hop credibility, helping the genre break into the mainstream.
Production Details
- Producer: Rick Rubin
Known for his minimalist yet hard-hitting style, Rubin’s fingerprints are all over “Brass Monkey.” He brought a raw, stripped-down rock edge to hip-hop production. - Samples & Beats
The song famously samples “Bring It Here” by Wild Sugar, a 1981 funk track. The beat is laced with a heavy, thumping bassline and brash drum loops, paired with a chant-style chorus that makes it irresistible on the dance floor. - Signature Sound
What made it iconic was the fusion of breakbeat funk with rock aggression, overlaid by juvenile yet charismatic rhymes. Its playful repetition—“That funky Monkey”—created a chant that stuck in listeners’ heads.
Cultural Impact
“Brass Monkey” helped prove that hip-hop could thrive beyond its original audiences. It opened the doors for diverse artists and cemented the Beastie Boys’ status as culture-shifting innovators.
Visual Style & MTV Influence
Their music videos, outfits, and chaotic energy influenced the aesthetic of late-80s youth. The song’s popularity on MTV helped bring rap visuals to suburban white America.
Pop Culture References
- Featured in films like License to Drive and Hot Tub Time Machine.
- Referenced in multiple commercials and party playlists as shorthand for retro cool.
- Quoted or referenced by artists like Eminem and sampled in club remixes.
Streaming Stats
- Over 80 million Spotify streams as of 2025
- A top-searched Beastie Boys song across platforms
- Frequently included in “Old School Hip-Hop” playlists
Influence on Artists
Artists like Eminem, Tyler, The Creator, and Beck have cited the Beastie Boys’ early work as influential. The irreverent, genre-blending nature of “Brass Monkey” paved the way for boundary-pushing hip-hop acts.
