Tributes have started to pour in for Adam Yauch, aka MCA of the Beastie Boys, following the announcement of his death earlier today, he was 47 years old.
Yauch had been fighting a battle with cancer since 2009.
Following the sad news, Beastie Boy’s management issued an official statement saying: “It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam “MCA” Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys has passed away”.
A representative for the Dalai Lama told TMZ: “Adam had helped us raise awareness on the plight of the Tibetan people by organizing various freedom Tibet concerts and he will be remembered by his holiness and the Tibetan people.”
Russell Simmons of Def Jam Records said: “Adam was incredibly sweet and the most sensitive artist who I loved dearly. I was always inspired by his work. He will be missed by all of us.”
A tribute to Adam Yauch was posted on the official Beastie Boys website earlier today.
Following the news, tributes poured in via Twitter from around the world:
Any asshole in the world can make it in music but to do while being a legit good person is near impossible This is the end of an era RIP MCA
— Damian Abraham (@leftfordamian) May 4, 2012
RIP Adam Yauch. Our hearts go out to Adam’s family and friends.beastieboys.com
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) May 4, 2012
Awful. R I P Adam Yauch (MCA). End of an era. Gonna listen to a lot of paul’s boutique and check yo head today. Sad sad sad…_b
— Silversun Pickups (@SSPU) May 4, 2012
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
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) May 4, 2012
What a terrible loss. He was a hero. #RIPMCA
— Santigold (@Santigold) May 4, 2012
RIP MCA U are a Legend and a pioneer. #BeastieBoys4life
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) May 4, 2012
