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People are in still in shock over the tragic loss of Adam Yauch better known as MCA of the Beastie Boys. You couldn't go to a bar or a party this past weekend without hearing "Brass Monkey" or "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" We give our condolences to his loved ones. MTV has paid some tributes on Adam ranging from how he was more than a "hip-hop trailblazer" to the fact that he was one of the "pioneers of a youth culture." Tamar Anitai over at Buzzworthy wrote from her heart about how Adam and co. personally impacted her life too:
The Beastie Boys were the original swag pioneers, and MCA's unmistakably raspy, intentionally bratty rhymes were like a battle cry to join that new movement that'd lead me to Brooklyn (after a few years at a rental on Rivington Street, steps away from the original Paul's Boutique storefront), and ultimately to a life buoyed by the velocity of New York, by music, and, ironically, to MTV.
In honor of his memory, MTV Act wanted to shed some light on some of the awesome causes and charities Adam and his boys have been involved with.
+ One of MCA's Most Important Causes: Free Tibet
Tibet was invaded by China in the 1950s, and the country lacks many human rights we take for granted, like the rights to information and freedom of religion. Adam was very vocal in his "Free Tibet" beliefs, putting together Tibetan Freedom Concerts all over the world to help make a big diff. Even the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Alanis Morissette got involved. All his good work earned him blessings from the Dalai Lama.
+ Animals Have a Right To Party Too
In 2006, the Beastie Boys gave back to the beasts . . . uh, animals, I mean. They put on a rockin' concert in Manhattan with tickets going as high as $875 a pop if you wanted the really good seats. Instead of having that money line their own pockets, the Boys gave their earnings to the animal rights groups ASPCA and Rational Animal. This money went to help animals find new and loving homes. Aww.
+ Supporting Japan With a Little Help From MTV
After Japan's tragic tsunami last year, people around the world did what they could to help the island nation. You better believe the Beastie Boys were part of this. EMI artists got together to raise funds through a charity auction, selling off cool stuff from Katy Perry and Coldplay, among many others. And then there were the Beastie Boys taking part, making sure the Red Cross earned a good amount of money to aid Japan. They auctioned off their Japanese MTV award -- nice touch.
+Love For Mama Earth
07/07/07 -- a fun date to remember! That's when the music event Live Earth got up and running, and it consisted of concerts taking place all over the world. Concerts are always a good time, but these shows also had a message to go with them: solving the climate crisis. The Beastie Boys joined in the music at the Wembley Stadium in London alongside the Black Eyed Peas, former tourmate Madonna and the Pussycat Dolls, plus many others. Adam didn't just care about Tibet -- he cared about the whole world.
+ Just Kids
We all love listenin' to our Beastie Boys. In 2007, The Boys shared some of their music on the fourth volume of Give. Listen. Help album. It's a damn fitting name, because almost all the money from sales would go directly to the charity The Art of Elysium. The Art of Elysium hooks artists up with kids facing serious illnesses to give the little ones workshops and encourage them in artistic pursuits, like writing or painting. What about rapping?
So yes, the Beastie Boys changed the atmosphere of hip-hop and music in general but they also impacted the world and we give them eternal props for that. RIP MCA.
