Adam Yauch, Beastie Boys rapper, dies at 47
Published May 4 2012, 18:17 BST | By Paul Millar
Beastie Boys star Adam Yauch has died at the age of 47.Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons's website GlobalGrind.com first reported the death of the hip-hop icon, which came at the end of a long battle with cancer.
© WENN / Patricia Schlein
© Rex Features / Steve Douglas/Associated Newspapers
Yauch, also known by his stage name MCA, was diagnosed with the disease back in July 2009, originally resulting in the cancellation of the group's tour and the delay of their album Hot Sauce Committee.
Bandmate Adam 'Ad-Rock' Horovitz confirmed that the star was still receiving treatment last May.
Yauch's publicist has now said: "It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam 'MCA' Yauch... passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer."
© Rex Features / Startraks Photo
> Adam Yauch 1964-2012 - Obituary
> Adam Yauch 1964-2012 - Life in pictures
The musician founded the New York group in 1979 with Mike D, Mix Master Mike and Ad-Rock.
Under the alias Nathanial Hörnblowér, Yauch directed many of the Beastie Boys' most memorable music videos.
Beastie Boys won three Grammy Awards, two in 1999 and another in 2008.
Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen and daughter Tenzin Losel.
> Adam Yauch 1964-2012 - Reactions
> Adam Yauch 1964-2012 - Beastie Boys' five classic music videos
Photo gallery: Adam Yauch's life and career in pictures:
Copyright: Everett Collection
The Beastie Boys in the 1980s - Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz), Mike D (Mike Diamond), and MCA (Adam Yauch)
Watch the video for classic Beastie Boys track 'Intergalactic' below:
Such a shame,, thoughts to all his family,,, x.
May 6th 2012 at 9:41pm
RIP Adam Yauch, Sabotage heaven!
May 6th 2012 at 3:29am
Breaking News: Millions of other people die daily.
May 6th 2012 at 12:21am
Such sad news, especially when rap has regressed so badly in recent years. The Beasties were about enjoying life, respecting women, not conforming or following the norm', not a gun, ***** of bit of bling in sight. The worst thing they've ever done to the world is aggravate VW drivers.
May 5th 2012 at 1:05pm
RIP sad
May 5th 2012 at 12:50pm