In celebration of , and just in time for Hanukkah, 3200 Stories teams up with the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival to curate a slew of Top 8 lists of some of our favorite Beastie Boys songs, images and videos. 

In this edition, Jacob Gilchrist aka Cyclofunk lays down the top eight Beastie rare recordings.

1. Egg Raid On Mojo

No longer rare, but it was when I first heard it in 1991. This joint shows how seamlessly those kids could jump from one style to another with complete authenticity. And the recycling of the lyrics on “Paul’s Boutique” became a nod to the fanboys.

2. Too Much Posse (demo cut)

Rumors that Ad-Rock had recorded a demo of this Public Enemy classic surfaced in the early 90s. It was confirmed with my own ears via the infamous JB when, in 1994, he blessed me with a dub on a mixtape. That tape has long since disappeared so I have no proof. JB has gone back into his archive to try and unearth it. Fingers crossed I get an e-mail prior to 12/17.

3. Scenario

“Lookin at my Gucci it’s about that time” is clearly not the only Schoolly D influence from the post-Cookie Puss days. This track deserved a proper 12” but, well, industry rule #4080. Its inclusion on the “Pump Up The Volume” soundtrack gave everyone some hope that there would be life after Paul’s Boutique. We need more echo in our lives.

4. Desperado

Really only had a life as the backdrop to some less than stellar thespian quips in “Tougher Than Leather”. Still dope.

5. Jimmy James (original version)

This version should absolutely be the first track on every copy of “Check Your Head”. Yauch and Hendrix are spiritual kin and this track embodies that connection. Early 90s sample laws were a mess.

6. Netty's Girl

While the videos from “Paul’s Boutique” might have given fans the sense that these dudes had a knack for non sequitirs, this gem from the “Skills To Pay The Bills” home video and the “Pass The Mic” 12” was really first piece of work that tipped us off that we might see some crazy shit in the coming years. Country Mike? That “Hello Nasty” infomercial? It all started here.

7. Live at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

The night before Thanksgiving 1992. Rollins Band. Cypress Hill. It was the final night of the Check Your Head tour. What started as dues paying at the I-Beam in 1991 had morphed into a world-dominating victory lap just a year later. Ricky Powell with the intro, Hurricane with “The Godfather Theme” intro and a FLAWLESS set. This pretty much sums up my senior year of high school.

8. Light My Fire

Decidedly non-hardcore extra track on the all-punk Aglio e Oglio EP. Australia only release. Double 7” clear wax. Yin v yang from the rest of the record. Doors cover. Miho Hatori. Was this the end of the LA era for Mike and the Adams? Probably. I still have my copy. Played it maybe twice.