Beastie Boys rapper Adam Yauch has died at the age of 48, Rolling Stone Magazine has reported.
The star was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 but it is not clear whether his death was connected with the illness.
Yauch had surgery and radiation therapy but said last year “reports of my being totally cancer free are exaggerated”.
Under the alias MCA, he joined the group co-founded by Mike D, Mix Master Mike, and Ad Roc in 1981. They went on to sell more than 40m albums worldwide.
The band started out as a hardcore punk outfit called The Young Aborigines in 1979 but switched to hip hop in 1984.
Two years later they launched their critically-acclaimed debut album Licensed To Ill, which spawned the hit singles (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) and No Sleep Till Brooklyn.
The Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month, but Rolling Stone reported Yauch would not be able to attend.
They printed a statement from a representative of the band which read: “Beastie Boys regret that Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch will be unable to join Mike ‘Mike D’ Diamond and Adam ‘Adrock’ Horovitz at the band’s induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in April.
“Mike, Adam and Adam are truly grateful for the honour but with only two of the three Beastie Boys attending, they will unfortunately not be able to perform at the ceremony.”
[CHORUS]
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
Mirrors, smokescreens and lies
It’s not the politicians but their actions I despise
You and Saddam should kick it like back in the day
With the cocaine and Courvoisier
But you build more bombs as you get more bold
As your mid-life crisis war unfolds
All you want to do is take control
Now put that axis of evil bullshit on hold
Citizen rule number 2080
Politicians are shady
So people watch your back ’cause I think they smoke crack
I don’t doubt it look at how they act
[CHORUS]
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
First the ‘War On Terror’ now war on Iraq
We’re reaching a point where we can’t turn back
Let’s lose the guns and let’s lose the bombs
And stop the corporate contributions that their built upon
Well I’ll be sleeping on your speeches ’til I start to snore
‘Cause I won’t carry guns for an oil war
As-Salamu alaikum, wa alaikum assalam
Peace to the Middle East peace to Islam
Now don’t get us wrong ’cause we love America
But that’s no reason to get hysterica
They’re layin’ on the syrup thick
We ain’t waffles we ain’t havin’ it
[CHORUS]
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
Now how many people must get killed?
For oil families pockets to get filled?
How many oil families get killed?
Not a damn one so what’s the deal?
It’s time to lead the way and de-escalate
Lose the weapons of mass destruction and the hate
Say ooh ah what’s the White House doin’?
Oh no! Say, what they got brewing?!
Well I’m not pro Bush and I’m not pro Saddam
We need these fools to remain calm
George Bush you’re looking like Zoo Lander
Trying to play tough for the camera
What am I on crazy pills? We’ve got to stop it
Get your hand out my grandma’s pocket
We need health care more than going to war
You think it’s democracy they’re fighting for?
[CHORUS]
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
Get with it
Get with it
Get with it
Got beats that are boomin to keep the crowd movin
Cause this administration needs some removin
Since 9/11 got war on the brain
This US Nation needs show restraint
Oh no way, what’s that you say?
The UN don’t mean nothin to the USA?
Oh no way, what’s that you heard?
Bush is makin money off of the oil, word?
Never ending government spendin
All for weapons of war they keep on spendin more
Trouble believing, all this deceiving
Is it really freedom that we’re fighting for?
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
Imagine public healthcare, public housing,
Public help without the religious founding
Imagine that, well it could happen yet
And we can make it happen, it’s a bet
Now I’m not trying to say I hate the USA
I’d live somewhere else if I felt that way
But go back to the fifty’s, if you think it’s all nifty
This president is acting mad shifty
FBI and the cops keep all filing
Who protest the war and who their dialing
So be careful what you say up on the internet
We got a nosey government that won’t forget
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
Need a little democratic socialism
Eassssse up on the capitalism
Eassssse up on the militarism
Ease up on the campaign finance schism
The next thing they’ll want is abortion deaded
If you’re not straight, white and married it’s dreaded
Forget it, you know what they say, if you’re gay
You’re not a real member of society
If you’re with me say, “What is this?”
Our government’s being run by big business
Wrecking shop, so, lets fix this
Come on somebody and get with this
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
This Government Needs a Tune Up
Get with it
Get with it
Get with it
Get with it
Get with it
