 Diamond, Adam (MCA) Yauch and)
We remember Adam - MCA - Yauch, director, activist and one third of the Beastie Boys, whose style was widely imitated the world over
Last week mourned the tragic loss of Adam "MCA" Yauch as he lost a three-year battle with cancer, aged just 47. Director, activist and one third of the Beastie Boys, his style was widely imitated the world over, as fans replicated his iconic leather jacket and high-top combo.
When he arrived in 1981, Yauch was recognisable by his exaggerated take on Brooklyn b-boy: bright baseball caps, polo shirts and cuffed denim. From Fight for Your Right (To Party) to No Sleep Til Brooklyn, The Beastie Boys represented an energetic, rebellious youth; a pioneering marriage of hip-hop, punk-rock and imagination. Their style echoed the humour and cross-genre of their lyrics, and the band went on to stamp an indelible mark on pop culture and style within the decade. One of the first white rap acts to hit the mainstream, their success championed the promotion of street wear and urban clothing: a DIY aesthetic of tracksuits, hooded tops, sport T-shirts and puffer jackets, and in 1991 they helped launch urban clothing line X-Large. In The Sounds of Science (1989), the Beastie Boys declared "Rock my Adidas; never rock Fila," while in The Scoop (1994) they chanted "Step into the party with the Fila fresh gear", slogans which quickly became affiliated with both brands. Paul’s Boutique, (1989) was titled after a now legendary downtown NY thrift store, pictured on the cover, while the Hello Nasty tour (1998) prompted an army of neon-orange jumpsuits as fans duplicated their onstage costumes.
"Yauch: a voice for both rebellion and pacifism, remembered in the crown of a baseball cap or the lace of a well-tied hightop"
Alongside his vocal contribution, Yauch directed many of The Beastie Boy's videos under the pseudonym Nathaniel Hornblower. This included the Kaiju-inspired Intergalactic and Italian spy-spoof Body Movin (1998) amongst others, which continued to portray his confounding and humorous imagination aided by iconic parody costume.
In his former years, Yauch became a Buddhist and advocate for a free Tibet, founding the Milarepa Fund. His style also matured, swapping the tracksuit for the dress suit. In the making of instrumental album Mix-up (2007), as the band took inspiration from rat-pack era, a strict dress code was implemented: formal clothing while in the recording studio. Once again Yauch saw importance in his style reflecting his music. He teamed shirts and ties with hats, caps, blacked-out shades and vintage trainers – smart, yet never losing his edge.
In Yauch's departure his legacy lives on in the form of his his creative, entrepreneurial and ethical contributions; a voice for both rebellion and pacifism, remembered in the crown of a baseball cap or the lace of a well-tied hightop.
Text by Mhairi Graham
