Adam Yauch, also known as MCA, was born on May 5, 1964, in New York City, NY. He grew up in a half-Jewish and half-Catholic family, but later in life, he became a practicing Buddhist. Yauch was raised in Brooklyn and attended Edward R. Murrow High School.
Yauch was a self-taught bass guitarist and played his first show on his seventeenth birthday. In 1979, he formed the Beastie Boys with his friends Michael Diamond (Mike D.) and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock). The Beastie Boys started as a hardcore punk band but later shifted towards hip hop and became one of the most influential rap groups of all time.
As MCA, Yauch was known for his deep voice, socially conscious lyrics, and energetic stage presence. He also directed several Beastie Boys music videos, including "So What'Cha Want" and "Intergalactic."
Aside from his music career, Yauch was also a successful filmmaker. In 2008, he founded Oscilloscope Laboratories, an independent film production and distribution company. Oscilloscope released critically acclaimed films such as "Wendy and Lucy" and "We Need to Talk About Kevin."
In 1998, Yauch married Dechen Wangdu, a Tibetan activist. The couple had one child together. Yauch was also heavily involved in social and political causes, including the Tibetan independence movement and the anti-war movement.
In 2009, Yauch was diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland. He underwent surgery and radiation treatment but ultimately lost his battle with cancer on May 4, 2012, at the age of 47. His death was a great loss to the music and film industries.
Yauch's legacy lives on through his music, films, and activism. In 2012, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his Beastie Boys bandmates. His impact on hip hop and independent film will never be forgotten.
Adam Yauch's influence can still be felt today through the music of the Beastie Boys and the films of Oscilloscope Laboratories. His dedication to his craft, his passion for social justice, and his creativity continue to inspire artists and activists around the world.
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