Adam Yauch, 1964-2012. R.I.P.

Adam Yauch (a.k.a. MCA), a founding member of The Beastie Boys, died today battling cancer for the past several years. He was 47.

Yauch directed many of The Beastie Boys videos as well as several documentaries. He was also a practicing Buddhist and was outspoken in his support for an independent Tibet. Here's a transcript of an interview Yauch did with the PBS program Frontline about Tibet in the 1990s.

I must admit I'm not a huge Beasties fan or hip-hop in general. But "Fight for Your Right" brings back fond memories of the ninth grade. I hadn't heard it since about 1987 which is perhaps fitting since the Beasties haven't performed it in concert since 1987.

The Beastie Boys have come a long way from throwing pies and last month were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.