Beastie Boys speak out about band mate's death

Mike D, left and Ad-Rock, right, have paid tribute to late Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch. Photo / Supplied

Beastie Boys stars Mike D and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz have paid tribute to their late bandmate Adam Yauch following his death.

Rapper Ad-Rock praised the hip-hop group's fans, family and friends for all the "love and support" they have shown to the 47-year-old rapper, also known as MCA, since he passed away on Friday after battling cancer in his parotid gland and a lymph node since 2009.

In a post on the band's blog, Ad-Rock wrote: "as you can imagine, s**t is just fkd up right now. but i wanna say thank you to all our friends and family (which are kinda one in the same) for all the love and support. i'm glad to know that all the love that Yauch has put out into the world is coming right back at him. thank you. (sic)"

On the band's Facebook page, Mike D wrote: "I know, we should have tweeted and instagrammed every sad, happy and inspired thought, smile or tear by now. But honestly the last few days have just been a blur of deep emotions for our closest friend, band mate and really brother.

"I miss Adam so much."

"He really served as a great example for myself and so many of what determination, faith, focus, and humility coupled with a sense of humour can accomplish. The world is in need of many more like him. We love you Adam."

A number of stars have paid tribute to MCA - who founded the group with Kate Schellenbach, John Berry, and Michael Diamond (Mike D) in 1979 with Berry leaving in 1983 to be replaced by Ad-Rock - including Madonna, who took to her Facebook page to express her sadness about his passing.

She wrote: "The Beastie Boys were one of a kind! And so was Adam! They were all an important part of my musical history and integral to the musical revolution that was happening at the time. I'm very sad to hear about Adam's passing. God bless him and his family."

Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and will.i.am have also paid tribute to Adam - who is survived by his wife, Dechen Wengdu, and their daughter, Losel - and the Dalai Lama, who blessed MCA last year, has praised the musician for his work with the Tibetan people.

A spokesperson for the Tibetan Buddhist leader said: "Adam had helped us raise awareness on the plight of the Tibetan people by organising various freedom Tibet concerts and he will be remembered by his holiness and the Tibetan people."

The Beastie Boys have not performed live since the summer of 2009, and Adam's illness prevented them from appearing in music videos for their album Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2.

- Bang! Showbiz