5 Beastie Boys songs in honor of Adam “MCA” Yauch (R.I.P.)
Photo by Michael Morel on Flickr
It’s another sad day for hip-hop; Beastie Boys founding member Adam Yauch, better known by his stage name MCA, has lost his battle with cancer and died in his native New York at the age of 47.
A few years back Yauch made a video announcement to the fans about his diagnosis.
I admit, I was not a huge Beastie Boys fan as a kid, but that doesn’t take anything away from my respect for the legendary trio who helped push our young genre into the mainstream and turn it into juggernaut it is today. The Beastie Boys began their career as a punk band, but they really made their initial mark on music in hip-hop with their rock-rap debut Licensed To Ill, released on Def Jam Records, which they also helped establish.
It was their second studio album Paul’s Boutique that gave them the critical recognition an established them as more ‘serious’ hip-hop artists. Rolling Stone even called it the Sgt. Peppers of hip-hop, and Miles Davis — let that sink in for a second — admitted he “never tired of listening to it”. Def Jam, Rick Rubin, Russel Simmons — they all owe a part of their success to the Beastie Boys.
They are without a doubt one of the most enduring hip-hop groups to ever do it; a quarter of a century after their debut album dropped, they still toured the world, made fresh music and enjoyed commercial and critical success. Rolling Stone and VH1 ranked them No. 77 and No.89 on each of their lists of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
This group has accomplished far too much for for me repeat it all here, and they have already received so much recognition. I wouldn’t be saying anything new.
Maybe the best way to pay tribute and to demonstrate the groups impact on hip-hop is by posting a few words from their peers and fans, and a few of their most memorable songs.
Fight For Your Right (To party) (1986)
RIP MCA so, so, so, influential…………..
— PHAROAHE. 13. (@pharoahemonch) May 4, 2012
My condolences to Adam “MCA” Yauch Family & the Beastie Boys. My brothers & I felt that pain before as well. Sad Day. — Ghostface Killah (@GhostfaceKillah) May 4, 2012
Sabotage (1994)
The Beastie Boys changed my life. For real. Prayers going out to the whole family. #RIPMCA — Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) May 4, 2012
Now playing: something’s got to give: BEASTIE BOYS R.I.P. M.C.A.One of the best hip-hop groups of all time!much love to MIKE-D and AD-ROCK — Cee Lo Green (@CeeLoGreen) May 4, 2012
Intergalactic (1998)
#RIPMCA the First Tape I ever bought as a kid was The Beastie Boys , Stank ya for the inspiration — Big Boi of OUTKAST (@BigBoi) May 4, 2012
#RIPMCA i was/am a big fan of the Beastie Boys. I especially loved MCA’s voice…raspy and cool. Had no idea he was sick. He will be missed. — Masta Ace (@mastaace) May 4, 2012
So What’cha Want (1992)
R.I.P. MCA from the Beastie Boys. He was an integral part of building the Def Jam label that I am a part of today. Condolences to the Fam — Ludacris (@Ludacris) May 4, 2012
my prayer for MCA… bit.ly/KlPHkO — Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) May 4, 2012
Fight For Your Right (Revisited) Full Length (2011)
we lost one of our greatest talents today. my prayers and thoughts go out to the family and friends of Adam Yauch. Beastie Boys for life.
— Milla Jovovich (@MillaJovovich) May 4, 2012
Rest on peace Adam Yauch. Beastie Boys were always the “coolest whiteboys” when I was growing up. They erased color lines the opposite way
— marlon wayans (@MARLONLWAYANS) May 4, 2012
Rest in Peace MCA! You will be missed.
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