MCA

New York native Adam Nathaniel Yauch, (born August 5, 1964), is a founding member of hip hop trio the Beastie Boys. He's frequently known by his stage name, "MCA;" other pseudonyms Nathanial Hörnblowér and Bloach exist.

An only child, Yauch learned to play the bass at a young age, and played his first show with the Beastie Boys on his 17th birthday, while still attending Edward R. Murrow High School in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn. He attended Bard College, but later dropped out.

By the time Yauch was 22, producer Rick Rubin had taken the trio under his wing and they had released their first album on Def Jam Records. Since then, The Beastie Boys have released seven studio albums and a multitude of EPs, singles, and compilations and have become one of the most successful rap groups ever.

Though he has Jewish heritage, Yauch is a Buddhist.

In 2010 he was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary gland and after undergoing surgery, traveled to India to remain under the care of Tibetan doctors. In October 2010, he announced he was cancer free.