A number of celebrities have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Adam Yauch.

The Beastie Boys co-founder - also known as MCA - passed away this morning after battling cancer in his parotid gland and a lymph node since 2009, and Justin Timberlake is just one of a number of celebrities who took to twitter to pay tribute to him. "Crushed to hear the news of Adam Yauch's passing. A true pioneer of art. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.#RIPMCA (sic)" he wrote.

The Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am wrote, "1 of my favorite hiphop groups...hiphop raised a lot of us & now we have to wake up because are hero's are dying too young (sic)."

Run DMC'S Reverend Run was equally distraught, writing, "R I P Adam... I'm devastated. Praying for Adam Yauch's family from the legendary Beastie Boys. Youll be missed!" while Snoop Dogg Tweeted, "RIP MCA U are a Legend and a pioneer. #BeastieBoys4life (sic)."

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