Fans are mourning the death of Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch, and are remembering an influencer who both changed the face of rap and the way stars bring critical causes to world’s biggest stages.
Yauch, who died at age 47 Friday, played an integral role in raising awareness and funds for Tibet’s struggle to liberate itself from China. As the Beastie Boys settled into its 90s heyday, Yauch, also known as "MCA," decided to take on another role -- advocating for Tibet’s independence, according to Beastiemania.com.
After sampling the work of two Tibetan monks on the group’s 1994 “Ill Communication” album, Yauch decided that he wanted to do more than just give the pair some royalty profits. He decided to establish the Milarepa Fund and enlist the help of activists worldwide to fight for Tibet’s freedom.
“We're able to help the Tibetans to gain their freedom,” Yauch said in a "Frontline" interview. “But I think the really significant part of it for us for the western world is we have a lot to gain from the Tibetans -- there are certain lessons that are within Tibetan culture. I mean understandings of compassion and of nonviolence that are things that we really lack in our society.”
As fans flocked to see the Beastie Boys perform, Yauch carried both his pioneering talent and main cause into the spotlight.
The group organized a series of Tibetan Freedom Concerts, which enlisted the likes of such musical greats as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Alanis Morissette and Buddy Guy, CBS reports.
Most Beastie Boys groupies may have come for the star lineup, but Yauch and his band mates made sure that representatives from the Milarepa Fund were on hand and equipped with educational information about the situation in Tibet and how budding activists could get involved, according to Beastiemania.com
But Yauch never aimed to serve as the mouthpiece for the Tibetan cause. He hoped to offer up an effective platform from which oppressed Tibetans could effectively share their story.
“What we're really trying to do is create more of a forum for the Tibetans themselves to be able to speak,” he told Frontline. “I guess the idea is -- creating some kind of forum where the -- the Tibetans themselves can speak and Tibetan culture can be there itself.”
Yauch was a practicing Buddhist and died after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Dechen Wangduand, daughter, Tenzin Losel.
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Fans are mourning the death of Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch, and are remembering an influencer who both changed the face of rap and the way stars bring critical causes to world’s biggest stages.
Ya...
Fans are mourning the death of Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch, and are remembering an influencer who both changed the face of rap and the way stars bring critical causes to world’s biggest stages.
Ya...
Since when Political "Activist" equals to "Humanitarian"? In fact, most of the Political activists are not humanitarians, while most of the humanitarians are not political activists.
MinderbinderMilo: Since when Political "Activist" equals to "Humanitarian"? In fact, most
For those of you that do not know the beastie boys were musicians before they were rappers they started off as a punk band and later did license to I'll and for me one of the best albums until I heard the all instrumental albume of "the in. Sound from way out" so yeah they were rock n roll hall of fame good. One more thing lets rethink and take back the fight against cancer from the FDA outdated patent hoarding FDA who has as their main man an ex pharmaceutical lobbiest running the show. Ef cancer ef you greedy FDA and big pharma. There is no money in the cure just in there treatments. R.i.p. MCA we got to fight for our right to live........
whomx: For those of you that do not know the beastie
RIP Adam. Thank you for your humanitarian work. I have been a supporter of the Tibetans since I first saw the Dalai Lama speak to a small group of fellow students at UC Santa Cruz back in '79. These peaceful people need all the help they can get while still living under PRC oppression.
KayoFrisco: RIP Adam. Thank you for your humanitarian work. I have
Remember, someone said life is not fair. It happens all over, ie that ummm Edwards family, she is sadly gone, yet he lives on, part of something bigger I guess? To teach us to get along with all sorts of folk?
Thomas_Minot: Remember, someone said life is not fair. It happens all
I dont know, man. Music history??? Lets take it down to the 80s-present and Im with you. There were some pretty influential musicians and albums. The Wall, Abbey Road,
I will allow for B's B to be up there. But not most influential.
maigesheng: I dont know, man. Music history??? Lets take it down
China is very sensitive to being perceived as an oppressor nation. Which it actually is...but it's glossed over with this illusion of bustling Capitalism. (Capitalism works very well in a repressive environment.)
Skygazer: China is very sensitive to being perceived as an oppressor
How is China an oppressor nation? Does China have 300,000 of its troops scattered in 130 nations across the world? Does China currently occupy anyone? No, it does not. The entire world, United States, recognizes Tibet as part of the sovereign Chinese territory.
PALEOLOGOS_DRAGASH: How is China an oppressor nation? Does China have 300,000
tell it to someone who cares, the beastie Boys are a part of music history. should have brought your own headphones to listen to if you didnt like what they were playing.....
wizardscream73: tell it to someone who cares, the beastie Boys are
I ever fully understood the "artistry" behind the lyrics of the Beastie Boys. Couldnt really stand them.
Nevertheless, an artist is an artist no matter how you write - songs, books, whatever. He was a known legend of the music world. My condolences to all that loved and admired him.
ALittleBitCrazy: I ever fully understood the "artistry" behind the lyrics of
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Posted: 05/04/2012 3:31 pm Updated: 05/04/2012 3:31 pm