A heartbreaking and fatal diagnosis. Missing the induction into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame. A future in filmmaking that went unfulfilled.
Keep watching for the inside story of Beastie Boy Adam Yauch's tragic death.
The Beastie Boys are now one of the most celebrated names in the history of hip-hop,
and the fact that their music has been, since the 1980s,
some of the most genre-bending of the period only adds to their greatness.
According to Goldmine Magazine, the fact that their fans included everyone from
purist hip-hop heads, punks, rockers, and more is a testament to their collective vision and
inventiveness. Their influence can be heard in the music of dozens of cutting-edge acts today.
The first act to be signed to the legendary Def Jam label where they worked with trailblazing
producer Rick Rubin, the Beastie Boys achieved the feat of releasing seven platinum-selling
albums between 1986 and 2004. The Beasties sold a total of 20 million records, starting with the
international hit Licensed to Ill, the first rap album to hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
After starting out performing hardcore punk in 1981, the group recorded a comedy rap
tune which convinced them to start taking hip-hop seriously as a musical direction.
The Beastie Boys were still breaking boundaries well into the 21st Century,
releasing the Grammy Award-winning all-instrumental album The Mix-Up in 2007.
In 2006, they released the concert film, Awesome; I F---ing Shot That! The director
was listed as Nathaniel Hörnblowér, a name that was actually a pseudonym of Beastie Boys
founding member Adam "MCA" Yauch, whose death in 2012 brought an end to the much-loved group.
Along with Michael "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horowitz, Adam Yauch helped
transform an otherwise anonymous hardcore punk outfit into one of the most enduring
hip-hop acts of all time. They became something of an icon thanks to Yauch's distinctive voice
and delivery and his appearances in some of Beastie Boys' most famous music videos,
such as "Sabotage!" and "Intergalactic." In 2009, Yauch was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer.
"About, well, about two months ago I started feeling this little, like, lump in my throat."
The rapper, who was a Buddhist, reacted calmly to the news,
and announced in a press release from the group:
"This is something that's very treatable."
In addition to courses of radiotherapy, Yauch converted to a vegan diet and used traditional
Tibetan medicine, which he had learned about during a three-day session with the Dalai Lama.
The group canceled the release of their upcoming album, as well as a slew of tour
dates, to aid Yauch in his recovery. In 2011, it was reported in a number
of news outlets that Yauch had been given the all-clear. Yauch, however,
was forced to release a statement saying the rumors were false. Yauch said in the statement:
"Reports of my being totally cancer free are exaggerated."
In April 2012, Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,
but Yauch was too sick to attend. Yauch died on May 2, 2012, just weeks after his
induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, at the tragic age of 47. His
cause of death was given as complications arising from cancer of the salivary gland.
It was a tragic end for a beloved figure who had remained optimistic about his health and potential
recovery throughout his three-year ordeal — and whose career showed no sign of slowing.
The year before his death, Yauch had directed his debut feature film, Gunnin' for That #1 Spot, and
had just launched his own production company with the hope of financing deserving independent films.
Famous fans of the influential rapper were quick to pay tribute. MTV reported that
comedian Ben Stiller tweeted in recognition of Yauch's "integrity as an artist," while
the usually far-from-humble rap superstar Eminem discussed in an interview with MTV
the undoubted debt he personally owed to Yauch. Actor Jonah Hill tweeted:
"I'm filled with so much sorrow to hear about the world losing Adam Yauch. He
was such a beautiful person and artist. My heart is broken."
Additionally, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke made a point of remembering Yauch's
involvement in the Tibetan independence movement. Fellow Beasties Ad-Rock and Mike
D publicly stated that the Beastie Boys name would no longer be used after MCA's death,
though they would continue to work together in the future.