Adam Yauch, born on August 5, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, was a multi-talented musician, filmmaker, and activist who gained widespread recognition as a founding member of the pioneering hip-hop group, Beastie Boys. With a career spanning over three decades, Yauch’s distinctive voice and innovative musical style played a crucial role in shaping the group’s unique sound, which blended elements of punk, hip-hop, and rock. In addition to his success in the music industry, Yauch ventured into filmmaking, founding Oscilloscope Laboratories, an independent film production and distribution company. He directed music videos under the pseudonym Nathaniel Hörnblowér.

His passion for social justice led him to co-found the Milarepa Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and activism on various global issues. Yauch died of cancer on May 4, 2012