This is tragic news. Adam Yauch, Beastie Boys co-founder, has died at age 47. Yauch had been in treatment for cancer since 2009. The rapper was diagnosed in 2009 after discovering a tumor in his salivary gland.
Yauch was one of the founding members of hip-hop trio The Beastie Boys, along with his friends Michael Diamond (Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock). In 1986, The Beastie Boys released their first full-length album, “Licensed to Ill,” which became the first hip hop album to top the Billboard 200.
Recently, The Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but Yauch was unable to attend the ceremony.
“Beastie Boys regret that Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch will be unable to join Mike ‘Mike D’ Diamond and Adam ‘Adrock’ Horovitz at the band’s induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in April,” said a statement released by group in April. “Mike, Adam and Adam are truly grateful for the honor but with only two of the three Beastie Boys attending, they will unfortunately not be able to perform at the ceremony.”