MCA. He’s a Brooklyn Legend. After Ad Rock, he’s my favorite. He was definitely the glue in that group. Ill cadence, cool as fuck, that dude. He formed what would become one of the most influential forces in the progression of Hip Hop, The Beastie Boys. Bottom line, MCA and Ad Rock and Mike D kicked the door off the hinges for a whole slew of rappers who didn’t fit the standard mold.

All white rappers, all progressive rappers, all cross-genre rappers can thank these guys for their careers. They were white, infused Rock & Roll and pretty much changed the course of Hip Hop forever. MCA was a white rapper before the term even existed. The concept at that time was probably as ridiculous as a black president! Now look. Eminem, Nerd, Kid Rock, Outkast, GURU’s Jazzmataz stuff all come in mind as shit that never would have flew without the Beastie Boys.

I’m not the biggest fan per se, but my respect factor is off the charts. The only album I ever owned was “Licensed To Ill”…There’s just one thing. This is the album that made me decide to rap. I memorized every single word and drove my moms crazy that summer playing “Rhyming And Stealing” as many as 50 times in a row if I recall correctly. Regardless of what you think, I know the truth. “Licensed To Ill” is one of the top 25 Hip Hop albums of ALL TiME. Period. And no matter how many Hip Hop albums are ever released it will always remain there. I’m not hearing otherwise…

All I can say is I’m sorry for the loss that MCA’s family and friends must feel. I’m glad he is free from any physical pain at the moment. I remember the only time I ever saw MCA in person. He was behind me at an ATM in Tribeca one time, maybe 2001. I was completely star struck and did like 5 very New Yorker uncool double takes. I don’t get star struck easily. One of my childhood heros has moved on, but will never be forgotten. I love you my dude! Rest in Peace MCA. THANK YOU!

“I drink Brass Monkey and I rock well/ Got a castle in Brooklyn, that’s where I dwell” …