Adam Yauch, Beastie Boys' MCA, Dead at 47

Adam Yauch, the gruff-voiced rapper, musician and video auteur known as MCA in the groundbreaking hip hop trio The Beastie Boys, has died after a lengthy illness, Billboard has confirmed. He was 47. The band's rep confirmed that Yauch passed away in his native New York City Friday morning after a three-year battle with cancer.

Yauch underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his salivary gland in July 2009. Treatment included radiation therapy, and in December of that year, he sent a email message to fans to share that we was feeling "healthy, strong and hopeful" he'd beaten the disease.

The Beasties' lineup of Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz and Yauch came together in Brooklyn in 1983; the group's debut album, 1986's "Licensed To Ill," was produced by Rick Rubin and featured iconic singles like "No Sleep Til Brooklyn," "Brass Monkey" and "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)." After touring the world behind "Ill," the Beastie Boys changed up their sound with 1989 album "Paul's Boutique," a critically lauded, sample-heavy record that featured production from the Dust Brothers.

"Adam was incredibly sweet and the most sensitive artist who I loved dearly. I was always inspired by his work. He will be missed by all of us," said Russell Simmons, whose Def Jam Recordings released the group's multi-platinum debut "Licensed to Ill" in 1986.

The Beasties continued to collect hits in the 90s, with songs like "So Whatcha Want," "Sabotage" and "Intergalactic" coming from 1992's "Check Your Head," 1994's "Ill Communication" and 1998's "Hello Nasty," respectively. The group went on a hiatus before returning with 2004's "To The 5 Boroughs," a post-9/11 tribute to New York City that included the hit single "Ch-Check It Out."

After releasing an instrumental album, "The Mix-Up," in 2007, the Beasties had announced a Sept. 15, 2009 release date for their eighth album, "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1." But Yauch's cancer diagnosis forced the group to push back the album and scrap headlining dates at festivals like Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits in 2009. A revised version of "Hot Sauce Committee" was released in 2011, but Yauch's health prevented the trio from touring behind the record.

In January of 2011, Mike D told the BBC that the group was "really happy" about Yauch's improved health, a statement that led to reports that Yauch was cancer-free. A spokesperson for the group told Billboard at the time that "Mike did not say that" and Yauch released a statement thanking fans for their support.

"While I'm grateful for all the positive energy people are sending my way, reports of my being totally cancer free are exaggerated," said Yauch. "I'm continuing treatment, staying optimistic and hoping to be cancer free in the near future."

The nine Beastie Boys albums released in the SoundScan era (including two greatest hits packages and one archive release, "Same Old Bullshit") have sold 10.2 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month, but did not attend the April 14 ceremony.

"We're in the rock and roll hall of fame? That's f----n' crazy and awesome!" the group said in a statement. "While we are very proud of the music we make, we have to acknowledge the inspiration from our families, friends and musicians like the slits, bad brains, x-ray spex, the treacherous three and too many others to possibly name. And most of all, we give thanks to New York City and the world of musical influence it provided for us."

Rick Rubin, who produced "Licensed to Ill" recently told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer of the group's importance to the growth of hip hop as a mainstream force in pop music.

"The Beasties opened hip-hop music up to the suburbs," he said. "As crazy as they were, they seemed safe to Middle America, in a way black artists hadn't been up to that point in time."

Among Yauch's many passions was his work behind the camera, most notably under the alias Nathanial Hörnblowér. He directed many of the group's iconic videos, including "So Whatcha Want," "Intergalactic" and last year's star-studded short film for "Make Some Noise." He also made a name for himself in documentary filmmaking, including three full lengths: "Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That," a concert film; the high school basketball documentary "Gunnin' for That #1 Shot" and the 1998 concert film "Free Tibet."

Yauch was a devout Buddhist and supporter of a free Tibet and in 1994 founded the Milarepa Fund which organized a series of rock festivals called the Tibetan Freedom Concerts, which ran between 1996 and 2001.

Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen Wangdu and their daughter Tenzin Losel.

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10 Awesome Adam Yauch Rhymes: Beastie Boy MCA's Best Lyrics

Each of the Beastie Boys brandished a style of rapping that set him apart from the pack. But for many fans, it was the distinctive growl of MCA that consistently rose above the beats. From the trio's rough and rowdy early tracks to their refined and respected final cuts, Adam Yauch delivered his rhymes with a depth, grit and lyrical precision that was renowned and respected in rap and rock circles alike.

Adam Yauch, Beastie Boys' MCA, 1964-2012

Photos: Beastie Boys Through The Years | MCA's Death: Stars React on Twitter

Throughout his life, Yauch evolved from a street-wise Brooklyn brawler into a peace-practicing Buddhist activist, and his enlightenment was reflected in the lyrics he committed to wax over the years. Check out 10 of MCA's most famous verses and pay homage to one of hip-hop's most cherished voices.

What MCA lyrics are your favorites? Let us know in the comments section below.

"No Sleep Til Brooklyn"

1986

"Born and bred in Brooklyn the U.S.A./ They call me Adam Yauch but I'm M.C.A./ Like a lemon to a lime a lime to a lemon/ I sip the def ale with all the fly women"

"Paul Revere"

1986

"Now my name is M.C.A. I've got a license to kill/ I think you know what time it is it's time to get ill/ Now what do we have here an outlaw and his beer/ I run this land, you understand I make myself clear."

"Shake Your Rump"

1989

"A puppet on a string I'm paid to sing or rhyme/ Or do my thing I'm in a lava lamp inside my brain hotel/ I might be freakin' or peakin' but I rock well"

"Pass The Mic"

1992

"If you can feel what I'm feeling then it's a musical masterpiece/ If you can hear what I'm dealing with then that's cool at least/ What's running through my mind comes through in my walk/ True feelings are shown from the way that I talk"

"So What'cha Want"

1992

"Well I'm as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce/ You've got the rhyme and reason but no cause/ Well if you're hot to trot you think you're slicker than grease/ I've got news for you crews you'll be sucking like a leech"

NEXT: Sure Shot, Intergalactic, & More

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Rock Hall Broadcast: Dedicated to Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys

HBO's broadcast of the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which debuts at 9 p.m. ET Saturday (May 5) will be dedicated to Adam "MCA" Yauch of the Beastie Boys, who were inducted on April 14 in Cleveland.

An HBO spokesperson tells Billboard.com that the show's ending has been changed to include a photo of the rapper and musician -- who passed away on Friday at the age of 47, following a nearly three-year battle with cancer -- with text that reads "In Memory of Adam Yauch." The two-and-a-half-hour show had already been altered to include Levon Helm and Dick Clark during the In Memoriam section, even though both died during the week following the event.

Yauch did not attend the ceremony at Cleveland's Town Hall but sent a letter that was read to the audience by fellow Beastie Boy Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz. Yauch's parents, Frances and Noel Yauch, attended the ceremony and were thanked for their support in their son's letter as well as by Horovitz and Mike "Mike D" Diamond. The other two Beastie Boys chose not to perform during the ceremony; instead Kid Rock, Gym Class Heroes Travie McCoy and the Roots delivered a well-received medley of the group's favorites.

HBO has 14 other airings scheduled for HBO and HBO2, while HBO Signature will air the special for 24 hours on Sunday, May 6.

The bulk of Yauch's Rock hall induction letter went as follows:

I'd like to dedicate this award to my brothers, Adam and Mike, who've walked the globe with me.

To anyone who's been touched by our band, who our music has meant something to, this induction is as much ours as it is yours. To Kate Schellenbach. To John Berry. To John Berry's loft on 100th St. in Brooklyn where John's dad would come busting in during our first practices screaming, "Would you turn that f***ing s*** off already!"...

To my loving and supportive parents, Noel and Frances Yauch, and to our home in Brooklyn where we used to practice on hot Brooklyn days after school, windows wide open to disturb the neighborhood...

But most of all I'd like to thank and dedicate this honor to my smart, beautiful and loving wife Dechen and our sweet, talented, loving daughter Tenzin. Never has a man felt more blessed than I to be able to spend my time with my two soulmates. I love you guys more than you know.

I wish I could name everyone who deserves to be named, but of course there's too many names to name. You know who you are, and I sent my love out to all of you.

Your friend, Adam Yauch.

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Chuck D 'Teary-Eyed' Over Adam Yauch Death

by David Greenwald, L.A.  |   May 04, 2012 10:32 EDT

A quarter-century ago, the Beastie Boys helped Public Enemy get their start on the road, history that wasn't lost on the hip-hop group's Chuck D on Friday.

"Last night, I took a 14 hour flight to Sydney, Australia from LA, embarking on PE's 80th tour in 25 years. I just landed to 65 texts with the news," he said in a statement, addressing the death of Adam Yauch, better known as MCA.

"Adam and the Boys put us on our first tour 25 years and 79 tours ago. They were essential to our beginning, middle and today. Adam especially was unbelievable in our support from then 'til now, even allowing me to induct them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," he continued. "I consider myself a strong man and my father says be prepared to lose many in your post-50 path of life. Still, I'm a bit teary-eyed leaving this plane. R.I.P. Adam aka MCA."

Adam Yauch's Death: Hip-Hop Stars React on Twitter

Hip-hop stars from across the spectrum paid tribute to the late MC on Friday, with Rev Run, one of the group's early collaborators, adding to the memories.

"A couple years ago, me and a couple of people that were working on filming 'Run's House' on MTV went to their show in Brooklyn, and I came out on onstage and waved to the audience right before 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn.'" he told MTV. "I did so much with them over the years that I just want to keep the love alive. My tribute to them is just to tell them that I love them and what they did for hip-hop culture is legendary.

"He had a really incredible style of rhyme, and I was like, 'This dude is amazing,'" Run added of the Beasties' early days. "Adam Yauch has this special type of rasp in his voice that made him incredible to me, so he stood out as a real vintage type of incredible MC. It was intriguing to see white guys rapping like that, being so cool, plus sticking to their roots, so they were true to themselves."

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Red Hot Chili Peppers Honor Beastie Boy Adam Yauch At Newark Gig

by Jessica Letkemann, N.J.  |   May 05, 2012 3:20 EDT

With most of the Beastie Boys' "Check Your Head" blasting on the P.A. before the set even started and singer Anthony Kiedis taking the stage in a homemade "MCA" t-shirt, it was clear far before the Red Hot Chili Peppers said it that Friday's (May 4) New York-area show was dedicated to Beastie Boy Adam "MCA" Yauch, who died earlier in the day after a three-year battle with cancer and who had famously called New York home.

Adam Yauch, Beastie Boys' MCA, Dead At 47

Rock Hall Broadcast Dedicated to Adam Yauch

"We lost a good man today," Kiedis, sporting a green shirt with 'MCA' hand-scrawled in black, said a few songs into the gig at Newark, N.J.'s Prudential Arena. "He left the world a lot of beauty. I hope you carry that flame. Adam was for real."

The Peppers and Beastie Boys were both inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March, though Yauch wasn't well enough to attend (the ceremony airs on HBO tonight at 9 p.m. ET). But the friendship between the two bands extends back decades. RHCP played two of the Yauch-organized Tibetan Freedom Concerts, in 1996 and 1998.

The RHCP fans in the Newark crowd last night also clearly counted themselves Beasties fans as cheers erupted both times RHCP offered up instrumental Beastie Boys covers amid the roaring set of RHCP favorites. Both the Beastie's 1992's  "Gratitude," which Flea played as a fierce bass solo toward the beginning of the show, and an instantly recognized, full-band but vocal-less take on 1992's "What'cha Want," played toward the end, paid tribute in more than words.

Video: RHCP play the Beastie Boys' "What'cha Want" In Newark (first :60 of clip).

Flea didn't just let his bass do the talking, however. "I love that man," he said of Yauch, simply.

With "Give It Away" played, the band having said their goodbyes, and the house lights up, the P.A. kicked in with the Beastie's 1986 hit, "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)," which instantly elicited a singalong from the exiting audience.

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Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch dies of cancer, aged 47

The Beastie Boys (L-R) Mike Diamond, Adam Horowitz and Adam Yauch are photographed at the 2006 Sundance film festival in Park City, Utah, January 22, 2006.

Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

By Bob Tourtellotte

LOS ANGELES | Fri May 4, 2012 6:55pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Adam Yauch, a founding member of pioneering hip-hop group the Beastie Boys who captivated fans with their brash style in early hits like "Fight for Your Right (To Party)," died on Friday after a battle with cancer. He was 47.

Yauch, Mike Diamond and Adam Horovitz formed the band that gained fame in the 1980s and stood out not just for their music, but for their ethnicity. In a genre dominated by African-Americans, they were three white Jewish kids from Brooklyn, New York.

The Beastie Boys sold some 40 million records worldwide over more than 20 years. As time passed, Yauch branched into filmmaking and activism, helping raise money for various causes including efforts to help free Tibet from Chinese rule.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam "MCA" Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys ... passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer," said a statement posted on the band's website.

In July 2009, Yauch disclosed he had been diagnosed with a tumor in his left salivary gland and lymph node, and he later had surgery and sought medical treatment in Tibet, among other places. In October of that year, he said he was "feeling healthy, strong and hopeful" that he had beaten the disease.

But as recently as last month, it was apparent Yauch was very ill when he missed his group's introduction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Yauch was born in Brooklyn on August 5, 1964, and taught himself to play bass guitar, forming a band on his 17th birthday that would later become the Beastie Boys. He went by stage name MCA. Diamond was Mike D and Horovitz, Ad-Rock.

Initially, the group played punk rock, but soon switched to rap as that musical genre gained prominence on New York streets and in underground clubs in the early 1980s.

The group's breakout album, "Licensed to Ill," was released in 1986 and featured "Fight for Your Right" and "Brass Monkey," and put it squarely on the music industry's hitmaker map.

MUSIC, FILM, PHILANTHROPY

The Beasties followed "Licensed to Ill" with "Paul's Boutique" (1989), which broke from the hard rock and rap of their debut. That was followed by CDs like "Ill Communication" (1994), with its big single, "Sabotage," and "Hello Nasty" (1998) that featured the hit "Intergalactic."

Over the years, the Beasties challenged themselves with shifting musical styles, but their fans remained loyal. They released four No. 1 albums in their career and won three of the music industry's top awards, the Grammys.

The Recording Academy, which gives out the Grammys, issued a statement calling Yauch "part of one of the most groundbreaking trios in hip-hop."

Russell Simmons, a co-founder of Def Jam Records, the label that first signed the Beasties to a record deal, posted a message on his website saying, "Adam was incredibly sweet and the most sensitive artist, who I loved dearly."

Under the alias of Nathanial Hörnblowér, Yauch also directed Beastie Boys videos such as "So Whatcha Want," "Intergalactic," "Body Movin" and "Ch-Check It Out."

He founded independent film company Oscilloscope Laboratories, which makes and distributes low-budget, art-house fare. It recently released the drama "We Need to Talk About Kevin."

Outside music and film, Yauch formed the Milarepa Foundation, which raised money for post-September 11 disaster relief and other causes. In 1996, Milarepa produced the massive Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

Yauch is survived by his wife, Dechen, and his daughter, Tenzin Losel, as well as his parents, Frances and Noel Yauch.

(Reporting By Bob Tourtellotte; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Peter Cooney)

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