Rapper passes away
Beastie Boys rapper Adam Yauch - otherwise known as MCA - has passed away at the age of 47.
It almost goes without saying that the Beastie Boys changed the game for rappers everywhere. White kids from New York, the trio first made their name as the spoiled brats of the Def Jam stable.
Yet this was always a misnomer. Beastie Boys soon evolved, hooking up with the Dust Brothers to produce a series of seminal albums - think 'Paul's Boutique', 'Check Your Head' - which combined a dense array of samples with three fantastic MCs.
Remaining a vital, pioneering force in hip hop the Beastie Boys always challenged themselves and the scene around them. Diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Adam Yauch met each challenge with the irreverent humour which had typified his career.
Sadly, it seems that Adam Yauch has now passed away. News broke via Russell Simmons' website this afternoon (May 4th) with reports since being verified by several independent news agencies.
ClashMusic writer Mike Diver sat down with Beastie Boys just before Adam Yauch was diagnosed with cancer. A typically entertaining, insightful interview it fully displays MCA's passion for music.
Read the piece HERE.
It almost goes without saying that the Beastie Boys changed the game for rappers everywhere. White kids from New York, the trio first made their name as the spoiled brats of the Def Jam stable.
Yet this was always a misnomer. Beastie Boys soon evolved, hooking up with the Dust Brothers to produce a series of seminal albums - think 'Paul's Boutique', 'Check Your Head' - which combined a dense array of samples with three fantastic MCs.
Remaining a vital, pioneering force in hip hop the Beastie Boys always challenged themselves and the scene around them. Diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Adam Yauch met each challenge with the irreverent humour which had typified his career.
Sadly, it seems that Adam Yauch has now passed away. News broke via Russell Simmons' website this afternoon (May 4th) with reports since being verified by several independent news agencies.
ClashMusic writer Mike Diver sat down with Beastie Boys just before Adam Yauch was diagnosed with cancer. A typically entertaining, insightful interview it fully displays MCA's passion for music.
Read the piece HERE.
Beastie Boys
