Adam ‘MCA’ Yauch: ‘Very Courageous’ and ‘Hopeful to the Very End,’ Mother Says

As fans, admirers and artists of all stripes continue to pay tribute to Beastie Boys rapper Adam "MCA" Yauch, who died yesterday (May 4) after a three-year battle with cancer, the most heartfelt words may have come from his mother, Frances Yauch.

"He was a very courageous person," she told the New York Times, revealing that her son died at 9AM on Friday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. "He was hopeful to the very end."

When the time came, she said, MCA was conscious and surrounded by family. His wife, Dechen Wangdu, was there, as was his 13-year-old daughter, Tenzin Losel Yauch; his parents; and his in-laws.

Yauch had been in the hospital since April 14 -- the same night his bandmates Ad-Rock and Mike D were in Cleveland celebrating the Beastie Boys' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"It all just seemed to happen overnight," said Frances Yauch, adding, "He was a terrific guy and had a brief but really wonderful life. We are really proud of him."

In addition to making up one-third of the Beasties -- one of those rare groups that just about everyone, from hip-hop fans to metal dudes, seemed to love and respect -- Yauch had a career in filmmaking. He was head of Oscilloscope Laboratories, the independent production company behind such films as "The Messenger" and "Exit Through the Gift Shop."

In a statement to the press, Contactmusic.com reports, Oscilloscope execs David Fenkel, Dan Berger and David Laub vowed to continue on.

"We are deeply, deeply saddened by the passing of Adam Yauch -- an amazing leader, a dear friend and an incredible human being," the statement reads. "Today we are heartbroken at Oscilloscope as we take in this awful news, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. Adam's legacy will remain a driving force at Oscilloscope -- his indomitable spirit and his great passion for film, people and hard work, always with a sense of humour and a lot of heart."

See Photos Both Old & New of Beastie Boys' Adam "MCA" Yauch Throughout His Career
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