Body Movin'

Beastie Boys

"A Year And A Day"

A true pioneer and musical hero died today. Adam Yauch, better known as MCA, the raspy voiced soul of the Beastie Boys, lost his battle with cancer.

I’ve been a fan of the Beastie Boys for seemingly my entire life. I remember jamming out to “Intergalactic” when I was in elementary school. The line “I like my sugar with coffee and cream” was the first time I realized what wordplay was.

MCA, for his part, was equal parts Ringo and George. He was probably the most gifted MC of the group, but he was also the most grounded. MCA’s gravelly tones perfectly balanced the yawp of Adrock and the very New York twang of Mike D. The interplay between the three of them was why they were successful; I’d argue it was MCA’s voice that made them superstars.

When I started this blog, I couldn’t help but name it after one of my favorite Beastie Boys tracks. At the time, MCA had just announced that he was undergoing treatment for cancer - a plight I was particularly sensitive to at the time, as my father was undergoing treatment for cancer as well. I was as sure that MCA would beat it as I was that my dad would beat it. You always expect the people you look up to will end up alright.

My dad did end up beating cancer, and for the longest time, it seemed that MCA was on the road to recovery as well. We got the excellent Hot Sauce Committee, Part II almost exactly a year ago. I figured it would only be a matter of time before the Beastie Boys would be on tour supporting it, and I’d finally get to see them live. A tour never materialized, though, and today, the news of MCA’s death hit like a tidal wave, all but ending the Beastie Boys. Surprise, sadness, anger, all those emotions we encounter in death came to the fore.

But so did all the fond memories and reminiscences about the impeccable career that MCA, Adrock and Mike D had together. I saw hundreds of musicians, actors, writers and celebrities tweeting about what the Beastie Boys meant to them. At one point, all the trending topics on Twitter were Beastie Boys related. It was a stunning outpouring of great memories, happiness, sympathy and sorrow that I have only seen once in my lifetime - when Michael Jackson died.

I put Paul’s Boutique on my turntable, and I sang every fucking lyric. When “B-Boy Bouillabaisse” came on, I was filled with emotion. When the MCA showcase “A Year and a Day” started, I lost it.

So here’s “A Year and a Day”.

Namaste, MCA.

James Brown

"Try Me"

Former Boston mayor Kevin White passed away today at the age of 82. He was perhaps the greatest mayor Boston has ever had. He made Mayor Menino - a good, if incomprehensible mayor - look like as poor a politician as Warren G. Harding. White is perhaps best known for his action following the death of Martin Luther King Jr., when he successfully lobbied WGBH and James Brown to air Brown’s concert at the Boston Garden live, in order to keep potential rioters off the streets. The move was a success, and was recently immortalized in the documentary “The Night James Brown Saved Boston”.

In memory of the late former mayor, here’s some James Brown from his classic disc Live at the Apollo.

Gang Starr

"Just To Get A Rep"

Guru was such a gifted, and oft-overlooked MC. Even when he died (RIP), he didn’t get much play. Damn shame. Enjoy this Gang Starr classic, “Just to Get a Rep”.

J Dilla

"Workinonit"

J Dilla - Workinonit [Instrumental Hip-Hop]

A little Jay Dee for your Monday night. Or your Tuesday morning.