May 4, 2012 20:21

Jay-Z, Green Day, Eminem, Weezer, Tom Morello, Slash pay tribute to Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch

Nas, The Strokes, Justin Timberlake, Graham Coxon also pay their respects to the rapper, who has died at 47

Photo: Tim Cochrane/NME

A host of musicians have paid tribute to Adam Yauch, one third of the influential rap group the Beastie Boys, who has passed away at the age of 47.

Yauch, who was also known as MCA, was diagnosed with cancer of the preaortic gland and lymph node in July 2009 and had been fighting the disease ever since.

Jay-Z wrote: "May a great musical pioneer rest in peace. Our prayers go out to his family, as his hip-hop family mourns our loss and celebrates his life" at Life + Times.

Eminem said to MTV News: "Adam Yauch brought a lot of positivity into the world and I think it's obvious to anyone how big of an influence the Beastie Boys were on me and so many others. They are trailblazers and pioneers and Adam will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, Mike D, and Ad-Rock."

Chuck D of Public Enemy responded to the sad news through Global Grind, saying: "Adam and the Boys put us on our first tour 25 years and 79 tours ago. They were essential to our beginning, middle and today. Adam especially was unbelievable in our support from then 'til now, even allowing me to induct them into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. I consider myself a strong man and my father says be prepared to lose many in your post-50 path of life. Still, I'm a bit teary-eyed leaving this plane. R.I.P. Adam aka MCA."

Rapper Nas commented: "One of my greatest moments in music was when I worked with the Beastie Boys... Now today I'm hearing our brother is gone. I prayed this would not happen... MCA was so cool, man. We had great talks about what it was like for them in the beginning, getting into the rap game. I'll never forget that experience for the rest of my life. MCA is true legend who influenced me. God bless his soul and his loved ones."

On their blog, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs wrote: "MCA. You lived so many lives in your time here. Equal parts Musician, activist, philanthropist, director, producer, and father. You taught us how to be cool while getting older, and showed us how to be caring and how to laugh through the same medium. Who else could be friends with the Dalai Lama and also produce the Bad Brains?"

Meanwhile, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day took to Twitter to remember his friendship with Yauch, writing:

Lollapalooza94 talked to Yauch almost everyday He was full of wisdom & encouragement for a freaked out kid like I was. Thank you MCA. LoveBJ
— Billie Joe Armstrong (@BJAofficial) May 4, 2012

The Strokes wrote:

our thoughts are with the family & friends of Adam Yauch.thanks for your inspiration both on the mic & off. #MCA
— The Strokes (@thestrokes) May 4, 2012

Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine also paid tribute:

Rip dear Adam Yauch. Words can't express the sadness and loss. Ur humor, talent & gentle soul are just irreplacable. Be at peace brother.
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) May 4, 2012

As did Red Hot Chili Peppers's bassist Flea:

Prayers and all the love I could ever muster for Adam Yauch. What a beautiful man. God bless his beautiful soul. A class act all the way
— Flea (@flea333) May 4, 2012

Busta Rhymes wrote:

I can't believe I'm wakin' up 2 Adam "MCA" Yauch is Dead. BEASTIE BOYS Will Forever Be 1 of the BIGGEST inspirations 4 me in music & Life.
— Busta Rhymes (@BusaBusss) May 4, 2012

While Justin Timberlake said:

Crushed to hear the news of Adam Yauch's passing. A true pioneer of art. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. #RIPMCA
— Justin Timberlake(@jtimberlake) May 4, 2012

Weezer said that Yauch was 'inspirational':

We are so sorry to hear about the loss of the Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch (MCA) a true legend & inspirational to everyone in weezers generation
— Weezer (@Weezer) May 4, 2012

Rapper Common wrote:

God Bless the soul of Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys.RIP
— COMMON (@common) May 4, 2012

And Blink-182’s Travis Barker said the news 'bums me out':

Rest In Peace Adam Yauch /MCA. 4ever somebody i looked up to & had the pleasure of meeting. Damn this bums me out, we lost one of the best
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) May 4, 2012

Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic remembered Yauch not just for his music, but his social activism:

Adam Yauch #RIPMCA. Thank you for Sabotage bass riff and many other great grooves. Adam also worked for justice and peace consciousness.
— Krist Novoselic (@KristNovoselic) May 4, 2012

Ryan Adams said:

Dear Universe, Please take care of MCA. We wil miss him.
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) May 4, 2012

Slash called Yauch 'fucking awesome':

Sad day. MCA was fucking awesome. RIP man. We'll miss you very much.
— Slash (@Slash) May 4, 2012

While rapper MC Hammer paid a simpler tribute:

R.I.P. Adam Yauch Beastie Boys #RIPMCA
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) May 4, 2012

Graham Coxon also kept it simple, saying:

not yauch....#RIPMCA
— graham coxon (@grahamcoxon) May 4, 2012

Corey Taylor of Slipknot commented:

The world lost a true legend, and one of the nicest men I've ever met. His name is MCA. RIP Adam Yauch.
— Corey fuckin' Taylor (@CoreyTaylorRock) May 4, 2012

Tributes also came pouring in from outside the world of music too, with actor Ben Stiller heralding Yauch's 'integrity':

So sad that Adam Yauch is gone. A truly great musician & filmmaker. He stood for integrity as an artist. What a loss. He was a very good man
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) May 4, 2012

Talk show host Jimmy Fallon also praised Yauch's talent as a director:

So sad to hear of the passing of Adam Yauch.He was a great performer, director, father, humanitarian and New Yorker. #RIPMCA
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) May 4, 2012

Even the Occupy Wall Street movement offered their respects:

Adam Yauch marched with us in November over the Brooklyn Bridge. He was a visionary artist who never lost sight of his community. #RIP
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallSt) May 4, 2012

Obituary: Adam Yauch 1964-2012

Photo Gallery: Adam Yauch 1964-2012

Adam Yauch, one of hip-hop's wildest visionaries

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