R.I.P. MCA

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    R.I.P. MCA
    Posted by
    Kid Rock
    May 04, 2012

    I thought I was the 4th member of Beastie Boys in 7th grade. You couldn't tell me I wasn't. The first time I ever saw them on stage was a very early show of theirs before License to Ill came out, opening for Run DMC at Joe Louis Arena.  My jaw dropped to the floor!  Not only was I the only white kid in the place (as far as I knew) but I said to myself "Holy shit, there's other white kids that rap?!?  WOW!"  My mind was blown.  When License to Ill came out, it changed everything.  All of a sudden people didn't call me a "little rap fag" for liking hip hop. The metal heads liked 'em, the punk kids, everyone!  I dressed like them, pegged and rolled my pants, begged my mom for a pair of Ewings, and so on and so on.  I rapped about not giving a fuck and crazy shit like they did in my early years.  I also followed their lead in later years, after I became my own person, in believing I could really help a lot of people out. MCA I know was at the forefront of this in the group, and for that I am forever indebted.  When I heard the news, a crazy chill went through my body like no other.  I don't wanna sound all dramatic, but that's the truth, that's the impact he had on me. When I was asked to play MCA in a tribute to the Beasties at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame I said to my buddy ,"Shit, I've been training for this my whole life!"  I said it that day, what an honor. I've participated in many such events, but none have I ever been better prepared for than this one.  My heart absolutely bleeds for my friend Mike D. and for Ad-Rock.  Having lost a member of my own band, I understand a little of what it's like. I only hope in writing this that it brings a little comfort to his friends, family and fans, what an inspiration this man was and always will be to me. We just performed "Fight For Your Right" a few days ago and of course I insisted on being MCA, or at least trying to be him the best I could. - "And if you feel what I'm feelin' than it's a musical masterpiece!" -MCA, Pass the Mic - I HAVE ALWAYS FELT WHAT YOU WERE FEELING IN YOUR MUSIC that you so unselfishly shared with me and the rest of the world.  So in short YES I do feel it, and yes it is. From one of your biggest fans, rest in peace homeboy.

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Kid Rock's picture
Submitted by Kid Rock
on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 5:58pm

I thought I was the 4th member of Beastie Boys in 7th grade. You couldn't tell me I wasn't. The first time I ever saw them on stage was a very early show of theirs before License to Ill came out, opening for Run DMC at Joe Louis Arena.  My jaw dropped to the floor!  Not only was I the only white kid in the place (as far as I knew) but I said to myself "Holy shit, there's other white kids that rap?!?  WOW!"  My mind was blown.  When License to Ill came out, it changed everything.  All of a sudden people didn't call me a "little rap fag" for liking hip hop. The metal heads liked 'em, the punk kids, everyone!  I dressed like them, pegged and rolled my pants, begged my mom for a pair of Ewings, and so on and so on.  I rapped about not giving a fuck and crazy shit like they did in my early years.  I also followed their lead in later years, after I became my own person, in believing I could really help a lot of people out. MCA I know was at the forefront of this in the group, and for that I am forever indebted.  When I heard the news, a crazy chill went through my body like no other.  I don't wanna sound all dramatic, but that's the truth, that's the impact he had on me. When I was asked to play MCA in a tribute to the Beasties at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame I said to my buddy ,"Shit, I've been training for this my whole life!"  I said it that day, what an honor. I've participated in many such events, but none have I ever been better prepared for than this one.  My heart absolutely bleeds for my friend Mike D. and for Ad-Rock.  Having lost a member of my own band, I understand a little of what it's like. I only hope in writing this that it brings a little comfort to his friends, family and fans, what an inspiration this man was and always will be to me. We just performed "Fight For Your Right" a few days ago and of course I insisted on being MCA, or at least trying to be him the best I could. - "And if you feel what I'm feelin' than it's a musical masterpiece!" -MCA, Pass the Mic - I HAVE ALWAYS FELT WHAT YOU WERE FEELING IN YOUR MUSIC that you so unselfishly shared with me and the rest of the world.  So in short YES I do feel it, and yes it is. From one of your biggest fans, rest in peace homeboy.

Comments

tonyvas1969's picture

Mon, 07/02/2012 - 10:57pm — tonyvas1969
Bob....I hear ya man...I'm 43, originally from Brooklyn, NY and grew up on the Beasties. Definitely an erie feeling when I first heard about MCA. Keep bringing us your awesome music. Tony V.
April First's picture

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 10:21pm — April First
''GODSPEED''' TO ALL HIS FAMILY FRIEND'S...SADLY MISSED...
jgsnms's picture

Wed, 05/23/2012 - 2:42am — jgsnms
I never knew any of this about you Kid Rock. You are so so cool. Your background is so different from mine and from my boyfriend's. I guess that is what makes you you. And I am so so glad you are you!!! You are a fantastic person and the world is so lucky to have you in it. I never thought of you as a rap fag. I never thought of you as a fag at all. And I don't use that word in my life either. I don't believe in discrimination. Love from Julie
Montana Anna's picture

Wed, 05/16/2012 - 2:09am — Montana Anna
Oh, God is SO good to me! He works in mysterious ways. Wiped out a good part of the day from TN (weather pattern change) and missing my friend, I found, while TV surfing, HBO access which didn’t exist before here in Florence and whaddya know? Your Beastie Boys Hall of Fame performance was on. You ROCKed it!!! I feel so blessed. And understanding what I am able to from a distance, I was touched and teary hearing Ad-Rock read MCA’s letter. My prayers for you and Mr. Yauch’s wife and daughter continue. Funny, I had just sent some up earlier today. And after your eloquent post to him, I understood a bit more what an honor it was for you to have performed their songs for him. You were awesome, Mayor, and I could see you have been training for this performance your whole life. As I watched you having fun all over the stage, you made me smile again thinking of how you were the fourth member and nobody could tell you you weren’t. You honored him well. Sweet dreams, my Beloved. I believe I will have them, too.
tblondie00's picture

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 3:43pm — tblondie00
Beautiful words Bob, I was on the boat when you played fight for your right...the whole thing gave me goose bumps! And a lump in my throat when I found out he had passed when we got home. I Love the Beastie Boys! His memory and their music will live on forever. XXOO Terrie
Rhondakay's picture

Sun, 05/13/2012 - 1:07pm — Rhondakay
What i just read....wow thats what you and your music does for me. Im so sorry for the loss of your friend. May God be with you and heal you.
Montana Anna's picture

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 1:11am — Montana Anna
Still lifting you all up in my prayers. Still thinking of you and what you are experiencing. May His love continue to comfort you in this time.
JoJoSt's picture

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 4:22pm — JoJoSt
RIP~ MCA♥
mightimouse77's picture

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 2:00pm — mightimouse77
<3 MCA & <3 KR May God bless and keep...
CandyGirlPres's picture

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 12:09pm — CandyGirlPres
Sorry for your loss. Hang in there. I'll always be grateful to MCA because you felt his music, I now feel yours.
TXgal's picture

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 9:09am — TXgal
Thank you for sharing your thoughts...
LORI_125's picture

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 8:05am — LORI_125
OMG I just heard on the way to work...cried all the way to work. RIP MCA
palamina22's picture

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 5:01am — palamina22
Awwww. That was so sweet. God Bless Us!!!!
Charmie's picture

Sun, 05/06/2012 - 7:34pm — Charmie
My condolences to u and the MCA family. Very nice tribute, thanks for sharing. Your music helps get me through a lot and always helps me feel better, knowing your story and the resiliency to keep going and keep giving...I feel like you wrote "Rock On" for me :) Sorry for your loss.
Nixx Bieber's picture

Sun, 05/06/2012 - 6:04pm — Nixx Bieber
Cancer sucks, so fuck cancer. rest in peace, a great soul which will be missed. thinking of family, friends and fans.
Montana Anna's picture

Sun, 05/06/2012 - 3:49pm — Montana Anna
Continuing again today and tonight in my new place of great spaciousness to lift you up in prayer as you live through your loss of MCA. I am reminded of one of my favorites. “I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard. I felt the answer in my heart although He spoke no word. I didn’t ask for wealth or fame. I knew you wouldn’t mind. I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind. I asked that He be near you at the start of each new day, to grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way. I asked for happiness for you - in all things great and small - but it was for His loving care I prayed for most of all.” God did bless Saturday with bread, a good friend, a bit of income (finally!), and Willy Wonka original followed by D3 in time for my happy feeling shoulder shrug. Ah, God is good to me. God’s blessing Sunday, too, for after treating myself to breakfast (my favorite meal to eat out) at the best mom & pop place in the area, I strolled throughout town singing and praying while breathing deeply myself, decompressing, and relishing the mountain views. While you can’t buy cool, 50 cents helps at a garage sale when it’s for an immaculate real fur coat!!! Step off, Mr. Letterman. No coat check for me either. Hats off to my kind of woman, Ms. Wilson. Hell yeah!
ANGELIQUE LACRISSA's picture

Sun, 05/06/2012 - 2:34pm — ANGELIQUE LACRISSA
I feel you dude, from the heart... I just got finished watching the cruise post by kev. Awe man that put me back on the boat ... It's sucks losing someone , I pray for his family and friends and what a legend ... When i first heard their music it Impacted my life I was about 11 and hanging out at the pool halls and skating rink .: Girls da dada dada.ouhhh yea and loved every album after!! They are just fucking cool!! Cancer sucks!!! One day tho we will here him again in heaven , I truly believe he got his wings, if MTV does a tribute , which would be so cool and honor his life, do fight for your right to party. Exactly lIke on the boat!! Be beautiful ,love y'all kr family. Made some great memories!! When you love someone tell them !!! Make the best of life. Peace Rip u will be missed
myTXsweetheart's picture

Sun, 05/06/2012 - 2:24pm — myTXsweetheart
MCA would B proud of U if he was here. You did great, and it's okay to grieve openly. Death is difficult!
Rosaria's picture

Sun, 05/06/2012 - 11:38am — Rosaria
Bob, please don't feel like your being over dramatic about MCA.. The Beastie Boy's r ground breakers in what they did.. I didn't know Joe C. but loved him and the role he played in your band. I cried when he passed.. I get chill's when I hear him on the songs, I cry when I listen to "when it rains it pours" and I cry when I hear him on live trucker.. What does that make me.. I am a fan.. and as a fan of the Beastie Boy's for I cry for the loss of MCA.. I'm from Brooklyn..for a few years I lived in Washington State.. and when we moved back to NY.. Every single one of my boxes had "NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN" written on them.. RIP MCA you will be missed <3
LK&#039;s Soap Box's picture

Sun, 05/06/2012 - 3:37am — LK's Soap Box
"When License to Ill came out, it changed everything." -- so very true! Innovative, fun and distinctive. He made quite an impact in the world of music and in the world period. You'll be sorely missed MCA. FUCK CANCER!
stephrocks's picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 10:30pm — stephrocks
Wow your words really touched me, and so did their music. I have Tivo set to see your performance. Something you have been preparing to do for a long time. R.I.P MCA
Allen Park Mike's picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 10:17pm — Allen Park Mike
I just saw the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on HBO. You guys killed it Seriously you couldnt have done a better job. Share memories of those we have lost. It will keep them eternal forever. Peace. Love. Liberty.
Robyn and Bob Smith's picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 9:58pm — Robyn and Bob Smith
My husband and I are Country and '80's music fans; we were listening to " I believe" by "Brooks and Dunn" tonight and my husband said "wow Kid Rock could so do that really well. " You have the vocals and the passion, you could. we love your songs!
Montana Anna's picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 5:30pm — Montana Anna
My niece's Facebook post renewed my soul in my recent hours of need. -- Somewhere there's someone who dreams of your smile, and finds in your presence that life is worthwhile. So when you are lonely, remember it's true, somebody somewhere is thinking of you. -- In my new place of great spaciousness, He provides me with abundant bread and a guest bedroom other than my own made especially for my friend.
catwoman_2's picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 4:28pm — catwoman_2
Thank you so much for such a heartfelt amd moving sendoff for your friend. I will always remember being in HS and hearing Fight for your Right, it was the athem for a whole generation. He will be missed.
Westcoastgirl's picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 3:40pm — Westcoastgirl
Very touching tribute, thanks for sharing.
Montana Anna's picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 3:12pm — Montana Anna
The day after the longest day and night. The normalcy of reality butting its head in as people and things keep going but the fog of emotional and physical exhaustion weighing down and clouding the day. People going about mundane activities of life’s daily distractions, yet having been so freshly wrecked by loss and grief, feeling so distracted, disconnected, and alone. My prayers continue. You are not alone. I’m tired of running and never looking back, for the pain of my early years seemed too great to bear. But MCA’s passing asks me that I remember and heal from those times -- the loss of self-confidence inflicted upon me by verbal insults and the humiliation of being spit upon. I’ve always wondered how people could be so mean, especially when I had all this love in my heart to give. I guess maybe their hurts were so great they needed to shotgun it out and I was -- as I’ve come to understand – there so I would grow in strength, kindness, and compassion. Tough lessons but God’s grace allows me to learn and heal. He taught me how to confidently share this great love in my heart, despite others’ actions and reactions. "Fight For Your Right" reminds me of good times in my early years, which I had forgotten. School dances with every one singing along, expressing that which only music masterpieces can. Most especially, it reminds me of my still dear friend’s smiling face that I met in 1981, who also made me a Beastie Boys fan. My friend tells me repeatedly I’ve always been like a cat because no matter what tumble I took, I always seemed to land on my feet. My friend is an anchor for me when I’m lost at sea. The Beastie Boys gave us joy and soul expression in their music because we did all feel it and still do. Thank you, MCA, for leaving us with your spirit to cling to in times like these, for in your music and those you have inspired, all of you free our souls allowing us to remember our joys as Kids, happy and carefree, before life rushed in.
danwilliams's picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 2:22pm — danwilliams
Sad..... The Beastie Boys were/are truly music innovators. I remember many times popping in License to Ill simply to get the party started up in the Port. Next thing you know, girls were dancing and drinks flowing. Years later, their music still has the same effect! Now we're simply a little older and a little more experienced. Great blog write Rock..... You're music has had the same effect on me being a Michigan kid growing up in the car business. You may never know how much I've appreciated it as I am on the verge of launching my global financial education company for kids. Keep trucking. dw
LindaLee♥'s picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 1:18pm — LindaLee♥
I just found my ticket stub!! I posted a picture on the KRC photo page. One hell of a night!! :) 7/29/87
LindaLee♥'s picture

Sat, 05/05/2012 - 1:01pm — LindaLee♥
Cancer does SuCK!! Someday we will find a cure. I'm so sorry that you have lost a friend~ :( He was a great guy that believed in what he did and didn't give a fuck about what people thought. I see alot of that in you. :) He must have been quite thee inspiration to you. I also voted for the "Fight For Your Right To Party" song to our class song~ Stupid principal at Brandon High in Ortonville (claass of 89) would not allow it. :( I worked 2 summers at Pine Knob (87/88) I remember the first Beastie Boys/RunDMC concert that I had saw very well. We had to call in extra security in that night because of how rowdy the crowd was. Those 2 bands together were amzazZing!! I got written up by my supervisor because I couldn't stop watching the show~ I found every excuse to be down by the stage and the passwalk between the lawn and pavilion!! I was scheduled to be on the boardwalk around back behind the hill. That was NOT gonna happen!! When you can get the crowd MoViNG and bouncing like they did that night~ You knew it was a big deal!! I listened to License To Ill~ for most of the day yesterday... So many great memories~ Thanks for the awesome lesson in rap MCA. This little WHITE GIRL from ORTONVILLE would've never knew rap if not for you. You will be greatly missed by many~ Rest in Peace my friend, Rest in Peace.

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