"Crushed to hear the news of Adam Yauch's passing," Timberlake Tweeted. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.#RIPMCA."
Jay-Z posted a black and white image of Yauch on his website with a heartfelt message, writing, "May a great musical pioneer rest in peace. Our prayers go out to his family, as his hip hop family mourns our loss and celebrates his life."
Other musicians, like Benji Madden, said the Brooklyn-born musician inspired them to pursue their dreams.
"This news hits hard," Madden Tweeted. "The Beastie Boys are 1of the reasons I do music&MCA was the captain."
Thoughts and prayers out to the Beastie Boys and their friends and families #RIPMCA
— benji madden (@benjaminmadden) May 4, 2012
"#restinpeaceMCA 1 of my favorite hiphop groups," Tweeted Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas. "hiphop raised a lot of us & now we have to wake up because are hero’s are dying too young."
MCA forever.
— Gwyneth Paltrow (@GwynethPaltrow) May 4, 2012
Here's a selection of other celebrity Tweets and tributes to Yauch:
Such sad news about Beastie Boy Adam Yauch. A fellow Buddhist and part of hip hop history!! R.I.P!
— boygeorge (@BoyGeorge) May 4, 2012
• "God Bless the soul of Adam Yauch aka MCA of the Beastie Boys. RIP," – rapper Common
• "Oh no. This just sucks beyond measure. RIP MCA." – Josh Groban
I just heard that Adam Yauch has passed away. Very sad. End of an incredible musical era. RIP
— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) May 4, 2012
• "RIP yauch and thank u mike and adam n adam 4 all of your help, the tours, the bball games, n great times. a humanitarian a tru friend." – rapper Q-Tip
