Adam Yauch, aka MCA and one of the founding members of the all Jewish troupe of New York City rappers known as the Beastie Boys, died Friday of cancer. Yaunch was 47. At the time that the three Beastie Boys began their career in the 1980s, the hip-hop and rap scene was virtually a black landscape. Yauch along with fellow rappers Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock) and Mike Diamond (Mike D), founded their group in 1983, but became multi-million selling artists with their seminal release “License to Ill” in 1986 and their follow up album “Paul’s Boutique.” Unlike many other rap artists who had one or two albums and then quickly flashed out of popularity, the Beastie Boys continued to produce albums that successive generations found interesting too. With major hits like “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party),” “Intergalactic” and “Brass Monkey,” the Beastie Boys stayed pertinent on the music scene and were rewarded with a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this past year. Three years ago Yauch announced he was fighting cancer of the salivary gland and his raspy voice became even more raspy as his battle with the disease continued. Yauch was the only one of the three Beastie Boys who did not show up to the induction ceremonies for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame held in Cleveland a little over a month ago. At the time it was said he was too sick to travel, but since it was announced he was in remission about two years ago, many industry observers did not make much of it at the time. Yauch is survived by his wife Dechin, his daughter Tenzin Losel and both of his parents.
