Vinyl pressings
by Eric B. & Rakim · 1988
Follow The Leader was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 6 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
UNI-7965-FW1 CSB ♪♪ F/WRunout side A (variant 1)
UNI-7966-FW1 CSB ♪♪ F/WRunout side B (variant 1)
UNI-7965-FW3 CSB ♪♪ F/WRunout side A (variant 2)
UNI-7966-FW3 CSB ♪♪ F/WRunout side B (variant 2)
UNI-7965-FW3 CSB ♪♪ F/W [apple] lSide 1, etched
UNI-7966-FW3 CSB ♪♪ F/W lSide 2, etched
◈-P-◈Sides 1 & 2, stamped
UNI7965Label, Side 1
LP+TR7 UNI-7965-G1A G1Side A runout
LP+TR7 UNI-7966-G1A G1Side B runout
MCG 6031 A-1U-1-2-Machine stamp side A
MCG 6031 B-1U-1-1Machine stamp side B
JAEtching side A
MCG 6031ACentre label side A
MCG 6031 A/1U-11-Runout, A-side [hand-etched]
MCG 6031 B-1U-1-1Runout, B-side [hand-etched]
MCG 6031ACentre label side A
MCG 6031ACentre label side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | MCA Records 255 711-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | UNI Records UNI-3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | UNI Records UNI-3LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | MCA Records 255 711-1 / UNI Records 255 711-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-3First yearLP | LP |
| 1988 | Brazil | MCA Records 670.0137 / MCA Records 00528First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | UK | UNI Records UNI-3LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2009 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M903LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Geffen Records B0026369-01 / UNI Records B0026369-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | Europe | Geffen Records 602557414592 / Universal Music Group 602557414592LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | US | UNI Records B0026369-01 / Geffen Records B0026369-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Geffen Records 602557414592 / Universal Music Group 602557414592LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2023 | US | Geffen Records 602458468908 / UNI Records 602458468908LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Geffen Records 602557414592 / Universal Music Group 602557414592LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Geffen Records 602557414592 / Universal Music Group 602557414592LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Follow The Leader are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1988 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Brazil, Australia and more. One of them is UNI Records UNI-3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UNI-3, MCG 6031, 670.0137, 255 711-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UNI-7965-FW1 CSB ♪♪ F/W and UNI-7966-FW1 CSB ♪♪ F/W. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
