WASHINGTON – A member of the hip-hop trio the Beastie Boys has died, Rolling Stone reports.

Adam “MCA” Yauch had been battling cancer since 2009, following the discovery of a tumor in his salivary gland. He was 47.

The New York-based rap group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April, but Yauch sat out the induction ceremony. Along with Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz and Michael “Mike D” Diamond, the Beastie Boys brought rap music to the suburbs since the 1980s with music such “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)!”

They won over their critics and fans with sharp lyrics, samples and beats.

At the Hall of Fame ceremony, fellow rapper Chuck D called the group “one of the greatest live acts in music” and said their impact cannot be measured.

Last year, Yauch directed the music video for one of the Beastie Boys most recent singles, “Make Some Noise.” Check it out:

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