Adam Yauch Tributes As 'MCA' of the Beastie Boys Passes Away
Tributes to Adam Yauch have been flooding in from his peers since the sad news of his passing yesterday.
Adam Yauch, better known as MCA from the Beastie Boys, has succumbed to the cancer he's been fighting since 2009. He died yesterday, aged 47. Earlier yesterday the Beastie Boys released this official statement: "It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam 'MCA' Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys and also of the Milarepa Foundation that produced the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits, and film production and distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories, passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer."Yauch had salivary gland cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, "Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands." Sadly, as his voice was his greatest instrument, it kept Yauch from performing in his final days. Yauch is best known for his ground-breaking music, but he was also a talented filmmaker. In 2002, he started a production company, Oscilloscope Laboratories. He directed some of the Beastie Boys music videos as well as the 2006 concert film Awesome; Fucking Shot That! Oscilloscope has released films such as Exit Through the Gift Shop and Rare Exports: A Christmas Story. His passion, and talent, didn't stop at expressing his creativity. He was deeply involved in the Free Tibet movement. He was a founder of the Milarepa Fund and organized the first Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1996. Thanks for all the music, films and your work for peace. Rest now, MCA. You've earned it.
Tributes to Adam Yauch have been flooding in from his peers since the sad news hit yesterday; will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas: "#restinpeaceMCA 1 of my favourite hiphop groups...hiphop raised a lot of us & now we have to wake up because are hero's are dying too young" Justin Timberlake:: "Crushed to hear the news of Adam Yauch's passing. A true pioneer of art. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones." MC Hammer: "R.I.P. Adam Yauch Beastie Boys #RIPMCA" Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit: "A very sad day indeed. Adam Yauch RIP." Hayley Williams of Paramore: "RIP ADAM MCA YAUCH" The Backstreet Boys: "Rip MCA - out thoughts are with you and your family." Boy George: "Such sad news about Beastie Boy Adam Yauch. A fellow Buddhist and part of hip hop history!! R.I.P!" Snoop Dogg: "RIP MCA U are a Legend and a pioneer. #BeastieBoys4life" Duran Duran: "Rest in Peace Adam Yauch. Our condolences to your friends and family" Josh Groban: "Oh no. This just sucks beyond measure. RIP MCA." Ice T: "Another very sad day in Hip Hop. #MCARIP." Q Tip: "RIP Yauch and thank u Mike and Adam n Adam 4 all of your help, the tours, the bball games, n great times. a humanitarian a tru friend." Common: "God Bless the soul of Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys. RIP Busy Phillips:: "RIP Adam Yauch- gone way too soon. My heart goes out to his wife and daughter." Rev Run of Run DMC: "R I P Adam... I'm devastated. Praying for Adam Yauch's family from the legendary Beastie Boys. Youll be missed!. Cypress Hill: "Deepest condolences 2 the family of Adam Yauch & the Beastie Boys. Adam was the coolest dude ever& will b missed but memory will live on" Russell Simmons: "Adam was incredibly sweet and most sensitive artist who I loved dearly and was always inspired by his work. He will be missed by all of us." 
Def Jam Records: "Man...that one hurts. Our prayers go out to Adam Yauch and his family. #MCA #BEASTIEBOYS Rest Well." Rainn Wilson: "RIP Adam Yauch (MCA of the Beastie Boys). He was a super-genius, a visionary and, most importantly, a really good person." Sheryl Crow: "Very sad to hear of Adam Yauch's death today. He's finally at peace - Adam was a remarkable human being, my boys and I will miss his gentle spirit and his love of life. Our loving thoughts are with his wife, daughter and parents at this time." Marlon Wayans: "Please join me in my twitter moment of silence for a hip hop great Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys. Thank I 4 all u done bro" Tributes to