This is the fourth single — and Track 7 — from Beastie Boys' debut full-length album, Licensed To Ill. The record was released on 6.6.1986 by Def Jam Recordings, a division of CBS/Columbia Records, but the single did not drop until 2.22.1987.

source: musicalos80

The song was co-written by Beastie Boys, Rick Rubin, and Tom Cushman. It was engineered by Steve Ett, and mastered by Howie Weinberg. “Fight for Your Right” was a massive crossover hit for the Boys, thanks in part to Mr. Rubin getting Slayer’s Kerry King to play guitar on the track. Its adorably goofy video, co-directed by Ric Menello (RIP) and Adam Dubin, received massive airplay on MTV. The majority of the “actors” appearing in the video were friends of the band, many of whom are identified below…

• The song was written as a satirical, sarcastic jab at “party anthems”. The group indulged in this image with their tongues firmly in their cheeks, but to their disappointment, the joke was lost on the masses. “Fight for Your Right” became a frat house battle cry and the Beastie Boys became synonymous with the lifestyle they were parodying…

Fight For Your Right was performed in 17 known concerts.

• 1st Known Performance: 12.26.1986 — The Ritz, New York, US
  
• Last Known Performance: 8.20.1987 — Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, US

source: 45cat