Beastie Boys MC Adam Yauch, a.k.a. MCA, has died. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009 and had been undergoing treatment.

In addition to his work in the seminal, influential, absurdly successful, and undeniably excellent hip-hop group, he also ran his own film production company and co-founded a fund to support Tibetan independence. The Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month.

Of course, this is just the opinion of a conscious rap fan.

...you DID see the poster on the wall behind him, right?