11:30 AM PT
-- MCA's publicist just released a statement, writing, "It is with
great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and
director Adam 'MCA' Yauch ... passed away in his native New York City
this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer. He was 47 years
old."
1:00 PM PT -- A rep for the
Dalai Lama
-- of whom MCA was a huge supporter -- tells TMZ, "Adam had helped us
raise awareness on the plight of the Tibetan people by organizing
various freedom Tibet concerts and he will be remembered by his holiness
and the Tibetan people."
Adam met several times with the Dalai Lama while he was sick -- most recently last July, when the Dalai Lama blessed him.
"
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 (below). He has since undergone surgery and radiation
therapy.
Russell Simmons' website
GlobalGrind.com first reported the death. We have spoken to people independently connected to the rapper who also say he is dead.
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.
The group has won multiple Grammys and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.
The
Beastie Boys haven't performed live since summer 2009 -- and during one
of their last ever performances at Bonnaroo that June, MCA appeared
noticeably less energetic than his group mates.
MCA recently became a vegan at the recommendation of his Tibetan doctors.
The
Beastie Boys' most recent music video was released last year for the
song "Make Some Noise" -- and it stars a laundry list of A-listers,
including Rashida Jones, Will Arnett, Rainn Wilson, Amy Poehler, Steve
Buscemi, Kirsten Dunst, Zach Galifianakis, Orlando Bloom, Will Ferrell,
John C. Reilly, and Jack Black.
Yauch is survived by his wife and daughter. He was 47.
