The music world will never be the same after the Friday passing of Adam "MCA" Yauch.
Thirty four years ago, the legendary MC co-founded the Beastie Boys with his friends Mike "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz. Initially a hardcore punk band, the Brooklyn, NY-based trio began incorporating influences from the burgeoning hip hop scene, and made the switch over to hip hop in 1984.
The rappers secured their place in music history with the release of 1986's License to Ill–hip hop's first number one album–and followed it up with their second, the critically-acclaimed Paul's Boutique in 1988.
On April 14, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chose to honor the iconic rappers for their contributions to pop culture, making them only the third rap group to ever be inducted.
Yauch died Friday after losing a near-three-year battle with cancer; he is survived by his wife, Dechen Wangdu and their daughter, Tenzin.
"It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam 'MCA' Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys . . . passed away in his native New York City this morning," his rep shared in a statement with Us Weekly.
Take a look back at one of the Beastie Boys' most beloved party anthems, "Fight For Your Right" and tell Us: What's your favorite Beastie Boys tune?
