Adam Yauch, one third of the white hip-hop group Beastie Boys, which helped bring rap music to the suburbs, has died. He was 47. Yauch, also known as MCA, died following a battle with cancer, the Associated Press reported, citing his mentor Russell Simmons. The trio had a hit with “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!)” from their first album in 1986 and later won over critics with sampled music, drum beats and biting lyrics on records such as “Paul’s Boutique,” their second release, in 1989. The group traded on its image of beer-drinking punks and enjoyed their greatest success with Adam “Ad-rock” Horovitz and Michael “Mike D” Diamond. The Beasties were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland last month. Yauch was too sick to attend the ceremony. They were the third hip-hop group to be inducted, joining Run-D.M.C. and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

Meet on the level, leave on the square. Great words to live by

Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread. - Thomas Jefferson: Autobiography, 1821.