Adam Yauch, Beastie Boys' MCA, Dead at 47 - RIP

norm

From Obama to Occupy, a majority of the historic moments of our time have been made iconic through the eyes of street artist Shepard Fairey. Thus it comes as no big surprise that when seminal hip-hop artist Adam Yauch passed away, he would be remembered in Fairey's signature style. The surprise, however, is the unlikely story behind the billboards that have appeared in two Los Angeles locations.

Yauch, known as MCA of the Beastie Boys, passed away on May 4 at 47 years old after a long battle with cancer. His street art tribute began with Los Angeles Beastie Boys fan Jason May, who rented out three Los Angeles billboards to pay homage to Yauch's legendary musical impact. He first enlisted Brooklyn artist Kaves to design a billboard, and Fairey was next. Fairey had been a longtime fan of the Beastie Boys' innovative punk-rock, hip-hop fusion, and remembered the band's impact on him in New York Magazine: "Hip-hop was the new punk rock, and I wouldn't have embraced that if not for the Beastie Boys. They opened the doors for a lot of people to be more courageous about blending genres." Both Fairey and Yauch are known for attracting youth culture to social causes through their optimistic works.

The works contain a photo of the Boys by Glen E. Friedman taken at a California photo shoot in 1985. The picture is transposed into Fairey's signature style; mixing anarchic propaganda and stencil-esque minimalism he creates simple images that allow the power of the messages to shine through. May payed for the endeavor himself, entirely out of respect for the late artist. "Adam Yauch was someone who deserves a public memorial, so now he has it -- at least in L.A.," he told L.A. Weekly. "I'm proud that I was able to do something in the name of great art and great music."

Check out the websites and help remember a unique, generous and of course riotous artist. One of the billboards is located on Sunset at Las Palmas and the other on Fairfax, south of Santa Monica Boulevard.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/3 ... lp00000009

perfectlefts14

norm wrote:

From Obama to Occupy, a majority of the historic moments of our time have been made iconic through the eyes of street artist Shepard Fairey. Thus it comes as no big surprise that when seminal hip-hop artist Adam Yauch passed away, he would be remembered in Fairey's signature style. The surprise, however, is the unlikely story behind the billboards that have appeared in two Los Angeles locations.

Yauch, known as MCA of the Beastie Boys, passed away on May 4 at 47 years old after a long battle with cancer. His street art tribute began with Los Angeles Beastie Boys fan Jason May, who rented out three Los Angeles billboards to pay homage to Yauch's legendary musical impact. He first enlisted Brooklyn artist Kaves to design a billboard, and Fairey was next. Fairey had been a longtime fan of the Beastie Boys' innovative punk-rock, hip-hop fusion, and remembered the band's impact on him in New York Magazine: "Hip-hop was the new punk rock, and I wouldn't have embraced that if not for the Beastie Boys. They opened the doors for a lot of people to be more courageous about blending genres." Both Fairey and Yauch are known for attracting youth culture to social causes through their optimistic works.

The works contain a photo of the Boys by Glen E. Friedman taken at a California photo shoot in 1985. The picture is transposed into Fairey's signature style; mixing anarchic propaganda and stencil-esque minimalism he creates simple images that allow the power of the messages to shine through. May payed for the endeavor himself, entirely out of respect for the late artist. "Adam Yauch was someone who deserves a public memorial, so now he has it -- at least in L.A.," he told L.A. Weekly. "I'm proud that I was able to do something in the name of great art and great music."

Check out the websites and help remember a unique, generous and of course riotous artist. One of the billboards is located on Sunset at Las Palmas and the other on Fairfax, south of Santa Monica Boulevard.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/3 ... lp00000009

That's awesome!

eeriepadave

Gaslight Anthem came out to Sabotage during the Orion Music Festival which was pretty cool

eeriepadave

a year ago today :(

LukinFan

eeriepadave wrote:

a year ago today :(

I was just listening to License yesterday. Can't believe it's been a year.

morello

Did you see about this the other day:
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/ ... n-brooklyn
"One day before the first anniversary of the death of Adam Yauch, (aka MCA of the Beastie Boys), a park in Brooklyn Heights has been renamed in his honor."

youngster

Such a great life full of giving and love, taken entirely too soon. A year later it still stings. Hope Adrock and Mike D can move on musically and create some new music. Hoping that the Beasties have some stuff shelved from over the years that can be released. Still hoping they have a Hot Sauce Committee Part I hanging around somewhere.

SD48277

eeriepadave wrote:

a year ago today :(

I can't believe it has been a year. :(

Thoughts_Arrive

SD48277 wrote:

eeriepadave wrote:

a year ago today :(

I can't believe it has been a year. :(

me too.

Newch91

Did anyone see this clip with The Beastie Boys from Bonnaroo 2009 when Triumph was going around for a Tonight Show piece?

http://youtu.be/GXs_ZOkQviI?t=6m59s

rearviewross

youngster wrote:

Listening to "To the 5 Boroughs" right now. I think this is their strongest album. So much raw talent and deep grooves. This album is so under-rated compared to their powerhouses like License to Ill and Ill Communication.

Um, ok.

goldrush

I watched Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! for the first time in ages last night. It was on TV at the weekend and we recorded it as I don't know where my DVD copy ended up. Such a great concept and a great movie.

eeriepadave

Wow Two years ago today :(

eeriepadave

three years ago today :(

eeriepadave

been five years since he's passed

Get_Right

RIP MCA
Praying mantis style!
Gone but not forgotten!