Founding member of the rap outfit Beastie Boys Adam Yauch, better known to fans of his music as MCA, lost his battle with cancer on Friday 4th May 2012. He had been suffering from salivary gland cancer since 2009 and was thought to be over the worst until 2011 when he stated that reports of him being totally cancer-free were “exaggerated”.
Along with Ad Roc and Mike D he formed a punk band in 1979 called The Young Aborigines; they were part of the fledgling New York Hardcore movement and influenced by bands like The Clash. But in 1984 the group switched to hip hop and found a new level of success as well as DJ Mix Master Mike. In fact, over their 25 year career, they sold over 44 million records worldwide making them the highest selling rap group as well as experimenting with jazz, funk and reggae. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14th 2012.
Yauch was also the director of many of the band’s videos, including ‘Sure Shot’, ‘Body Movin” and their smash hit ‘Intergalactic’, where he went under the alias of Nathanial Hörnblowér. He also directed documentaries and feature films as well as being heavily involved in the Free Tibet movement. He is survived by his wife Dechen Wangdu and their daughter Tenzin Losel as well as his parents Frances and Noel Yauch.
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