TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR FALLEN BEASTIE BOY
Eminem: "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, Public Enemy: "Last night, I took a 14-hour flight to
Jay-Z: "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."
Madonna: "The Beastie Boys were one of a kind! And so was Adam! They were all an important part of my musical history and integral to the musical revolution that was happening at the time… I'm very sad to hear about Adam's passing. God bless him and his family."
Sean “Diddy” Combs: "Today, the music industry lost one of its brightest stars. As a founding member of the Beastie Boys, Adam was a true pioneer and a creative force who paved the way for so many of us. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans around the world."
Nas: "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."
Kid Rock: "I thought I was the fourth member of Beastie Boys in seventh grade. You couldn't tell me I wasn't. The first time I ever saw them on stage was a very early show of theirs before Licensed to Ill came out, opening for Run DMC at Joe Louis Arena. My jaw dropped to the floor! Not only was I the only white kid in the place (as far as I knew) but I said to myself, `Holy (expletive), there's other white kids that rap?!? 'WOW!' My mind was blown ... MCA I know was at the forefront of this in the group, and for that I am forever indebted. When I heard the news, a crazy chill went through my body like no other. I don't wanna sound all dramatic, but that's the truth. ... My heart absolutely bleeds for my friend Mike D. and for Ad-Rock. Having lost a member of my own band, I understand a little of what it's like. I only hope in writing this that it brings a little comfort to his friends, family and fans, what an inspiration this man was and always will be to me. From one of your biggest fans, rest in peace homeboy.”
Q-Tip: "MCA was a great artist, visionary and a selfless humanitarian He and his bandmates were especially kind to me and we became good friends. They took Tribe out on tour a couple of times and showed us the ropes. We spent a lot of time together and I learned a great deal from him and the boys. Our roots are intertwined in many ways. I can't put into words how crushed I am. My condolences go out to his family. He will be greatly missed."
Joie Manda, President, Def Jam Recordings: "It's impossible to measure the influence Adam Yauch and the Beastie Boys have had on me personally, on hip-hop culture as a whole, and on rock and roll in general. His legacy here at Def Jam is nothing short of iconic. He was one of the pioneering artists of this great label and family. We are filled with a sense of loss today...the Def Jam flag is at half mast. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones."
Tony Stewart, President, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: "Adam Yauch was a pioneer who broke ground with his music and introduced hip-hop to a wider audience. While we mourn the loss of one of our newest inductees, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is thankful to have been able to honor Adam before his passing. Just two weeks ago, band mate Adam Horowitz read Yauch's acceptance letter at the 2012 induction ceremony and fellow inductees, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, dedicated their performance to him. Yauch's contributions to our culture as a musician, film director and advocate for the people of
Krist Novoselic, Nirvana: "Adam Yauch #RIPMCA. Thank you for ‘Sabotage’ bass riff and many other great grooves. Adam also worked for justice and peace consciousness.” (via Twitter)
Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President: "Brooklyn—the Creative Capital of New York City-has made so many great contributions to music and the arts, and in the world of hip-hop, they don't come much bigger than Brooklyn native Adam `MCA' Yauch and his fellow Beastie Boys... Of course, Adam's home borough was immortalized in the Beastie Boys' 1987 hit, `No Sleep Till Brooklyn,' and he never forgot where he came from with lyrics like `Open Letter to NYC's' `At lunch I'd go to Blimpies down on Montague Street and hit the Fulton Street Mall for the sneakers on my feet.' The thoughts and prayers of Brooklynites and music fans everywhere are with Adam's wife, Dechen Wangdu, and their daughter, Tenzin Losel, during this difficult time."
Santigold: "Though I've been a fan of the Beastie Boys since I was 12-years-old (there is a lost tape of me performing ‘Fight For Your Right to Party’ with my friends at the mall), I got to know Adam when I had the opportunity to work with the Beastie Boys on the song ‘Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win’ for the Hot Sauce Committee Part Two album. Adam was what I call an instant friend. He was someone whose warmth, honesty and generosity were felt immediately. As an artist, he is a legend. He is the kind of artist I've always aspired to be like. He was the epitome of a new kind of cool, he was hilarious, a visionary, talented on so many different levels from music to film. He was socially conscious, spiritually aware, an activist, and he was always humble and down to earth. It was such an honor to have known him, and I will miss him. This is such a monumental loss, not just for the music and film communities, but for the whole world."
Asher Roth: "I'm fucking bummed out. Adam and the Beasties helped develop the landscape for genre-defying musicians as we know it. He was one of the first people to say, 'There are no rules.' There will never be another."
@Ludacris: “R.I.P. MCA from the Beastie Boys. He was an integral part of building the Def Jam label that I am a part of today. Condolences to the Fam.”
Chris Lighty: "Rest in peace Yauch ‘MCA.’ Beastie Boys. Hip-hop needs to honor our legends before they are gone.” via Twitter.
Van Toffler, MTV Music Group President: "Lots of us at MTV grew up with Adam and his Beastie brothers. He had a keen artistic eye and great wit that helped shape so many of the group's music and videos. He made us want to rock, scream and laugh all in one breath. We will miss him as will his many fans."
@BillyCorgan: “Sad news about Adam Yauch's passing, a man of dignity + spiritual conviction. I always had great respect for him in times we met and talked.”
Roger Faxon, CEO, EMI Music: "The Beastie Boys have been a pioneering force in hip-hop for more than 25 years, and an integral part of the EMI family for the vast majority of their career. With albums such as Licensed to Ill, Paul's Boutique, Ill Communication and 2009's Hot Sauce Committee Pt 2, they have consistently pushed creative boundaries and produced music that has connected with fans around the world… For us at EMI to have had the opportunity to work with such a groundbreaking band has been a true privilege, and the devastating loss of Adam will be felt by all of us around the world. Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
@flea333: “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.”
@OccupyWallSt: “Adam Yauch marched with us in November over the
B Real, Cypress Hill (@B_Real420): “My deepest condolences 2 the family of Adam yauch & the beastie boys. Adam was the coolest dude ever & will b missed but memory will live on.”
Billie Joe Armstrong (@BJAofficial): “Lollapalooza94 talked to Yauch almost everyday He was full of wisdom & encouragement for a freaked out kid like I was. Thank you MCA. Love BJ.”
Grace Potter (@gracepotter): “We lost an incredible human & inspiring musician today... RIP Adam Yauch.”
Michael Stipe and R.E.M.: "We've lost one of our greats. A true gentleman with the strongest resolve, humor, and energy to spin the world on its axis... and that is exactly what he did. Let's not forget he did it with panache and style and beats and in various costumes. Even while dressed as a Swiss mountain climber. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Beasties and to Adam's family and fans."
@Chromeo: “The Beastie Boys basically invented the concept of the cool white person. #RIPMCA”
Big Boi, Outkast (@bigboi): #RIPMCA The First Tape I ever bought as a kid was the Beastie Boys… Stank ya for the inspiration.”
@ghostfacekillah: “My condolences to Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch Family & the Beastie Boys. My brothers & I felt that pain before as well. Sad Day."
@CeeLoGreen: “Now playing: ‘Something's Got to Give’: BEASTIE BOYS R.I.P. M.C.A. One of the best hip-hop groups of all time! much love to MIKE-D and AD-ROCK.”
Neil Portnow, The Recording Academy: "As a co-founding member of the three-time Grammy-winning Beastie Boys, Adam Yauch was part of one of the most groundbreaking trios in hip-hop. The group's music crossed genres and color lines, and helped bring rap to a wider audience. A rapper, musician and director, Yauch was an immense talent and creative visionary, and an instrumental force in the group's career for more than three decades. In addition to his music and artistry, he was a philanthropist who devoted much of his energy to his passionate support for freedom of expression. The music world has lost a true trailblazer, and our deepest sympathies are with his family, friends and fans throughout the world."
