Adam Yauch, the gravelly voiced Beastie Boys rapper who co-founded the hip-hop group, has died, aged 47, industry mogul Russell Simmons said last night.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Yauch, who is also known as MCA, was diagnosed with a cancerous parotid gland in 2009. He had undergone surgery and radiation.

At the time, Mr Yauch expressed hope it was “very treatable,” but his illness caused the group to cancel shows and delayed the release of their 2011 album, “Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2.”

He had not performed in public since 2009 and was absent when the Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April.

There was no comment from representatives for the Beastie Boys on Mr Yauch’s death. Simmons’ Def Jam label released the Beastie Boys’ first album, Licensed to Ill.