Adam Yauch Refuses To Sell Out, Even After Death
Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch, who died in May, wrote in his will that no music or art he created can be used in advertising, and neither can his image.
MCA’s will was filed this week, and puts his entire $6.4 million fortune in a trust for his wife and their teen daughter, DNAinfo reports.
Yauch’s wife can sell and manage his music and art, but it’s not clear whether his bandmates will be able to sell music they wrote together for use in ads. Yauch co-wrote some of the group’s most well-known songs, including “Fight for Your Right (to Party).”
Beastie Boys Hit With Lawsuit
Adam “MCA” Yauch died like two days ago, but that didn’t matter to some asshole wannabes who decided to hit the Beastie Boys with a lawsuit over the use of samples on two of their most critically-acclaimed albums — 1989′s Paul’s Boutique and the band’s 1986 debut Licensed to Ill.
Recording label Tuf America alleges that the blockbuster albums illegally sample the 1982 songs “Drop the Bomb” and “Say What” from Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Trouble Funk. Licensed to Ill‘s “Hold It Now Hit It” and “The New Style” and Paul’s Boutique‘s “Car Thief” and “Shadrach” allegedly yanked elements from Trouble’s “Drop the Bomb” and “Say What.”
The lawsuit was submitted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on May 3, one day before Yauch — also known as MCA — died after a three year battle against cancer in his parotid gland and a lymph node.
Capitol Records is also named in the suit.
Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch Dead At 47
After a three year battle with cancer, “Beastie Boys” rapper MCA — real name Adam Yauch — has died.
In 2009, MCA announced he was being treated for a cancerous parotid gland and a lymph node. He has since undergone surgery and radiation therapy. So far, it’s not clear if the death is related to the rapper’s battle with cancer.
MCA co-founded Beastie Boys in 1979 with Mike D, and Ad Rock and went on to churn out some of the most iconic albums in hip-hop including License to Ill, Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head and Ill Communication.
Yauch is survived by his wife and daughter. He was 47.
Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch diagnosed with cancer
A cancerous tumor was discovered in Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch’s left salivary gland, the rapper’s record label, EMI, announced in a statement Monday.
While the musician is expected to make a full recovery, the band has been forced to cancel their upcoming tour and postpone the release of their latest album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 1.
“I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we’ll release the record and play some shows,” Yauch, 44, said in a video statement on his band’s official Web site. “It’s a pain in the neck (sorry had to say it) because I was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later.”
According to EMI, the cancer was caught early and is localized in one area, rendering it “very treatable.” “Our thoughts, love and prayers are with Adam Yauch, his family and the Beastie Boys,” the record label said in a statement. “The most important thing is to allow Adam to focus on staying healthy. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.”
No new release date for the album, originally slated for a Sept. 15 release, has been announced.
Our prayers go out to the member of one of the best bands in history. We leave you with one of our top 5 videos: Sabotage!