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Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021), known professionally as Biz Markie, was an American rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ, and record producer who gained prominence during hip hop's golden age. Within hip hop he was particularly recognized for his humorous, comedic style, often being called by his nickname, the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop".
Markie's achieved mainstream success with his 1989 single "Just a Friend", which reached No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a platinum-certified hit. The song has since been widely regarded as a classic, featured prominently in pop culture and recognized on VH1's list of the greatest hip-hop songs. Throughout his career, Markie was associated with influential hip-hop groups and labels, notably the Juice Crew collective and Cold Chillin' Records.
Beyond his music, Biz Markie had an extensive presence on television and film, appearing in various roles and voiceovers in popular shows, movies, and commercials, including Men in Black II, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Empire, and SpongeBob SquarePants. He also appeared as himself in numerous television and radio broadcasts, and became a cultural personality extending beyond the music industry.
Biz Markie continued performing and making media appearances until health complications related to type 2 diabetes limited his activities in 2020. He died in July 2021 at the age of 57. Following his death, his legacy has been honored through various tributes, including street dedications, public memorials, and the release of the documentary film "All Up in the Biz."
Markie was born in Manhattan in the neighborhood of Harlem, New York City, on April 8, 1964. He was raised on Long Island in the hamlet of Brentwood and the village of Patchogue, where he spent his teenage years and where, on September 25, 2021, the intersection of South Street and West Avenue, across the street from his then-home, was dedicated as Biz Markie Way. He graduated from Longwood High School in Middle Island in 1982. Markie began his career in New York City nightclubs and later gained regional recognition by performing at colleges in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Regarding the origin of his stage name, the rapper said:
Biz comes from the first hip-hop tape I heard. It was '77, '78, from the L Brothers. Grand Wizard Theodore was the DJ, and the rappers was Kevvy Kev, Master Rob and Busy Bee Starski. I loved Busy Bee. Busy Bee just stuck with me. My name used to be Bizzy B Markie, and after a while I put the Biz with the Markie. My nickname in my neighborhood was Markie.
In the early 1980s after meeting in a mall, Biz Markie and Roxanne Shante developed a close friendship that led to their collaboration on the 1986 freestyle track "Def Fresh Crew", with Biz Markie beatboxing as depicted in the Netflix movie Roxanne Roxanne. Biz Markie played a significant role in Shante's early career and is considered a pioneer in the rap industry. Up until his death in 2021, they remained friends.
Biz Markie was interviewed in the 1986 cult documentary Big Fun in the Big Town. Markie released his debut album Goin' Off in 1988, which attracted a fair amount of attention, largely due to the lead single, "Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz". The album also featured the underground hit singles "Nobody Beats The Biz", "Vapors", and "Pickin' Boogers". Biz also appeared briefly in the music video for Rob Base's single "It Takes Two".
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Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021), known professionally as Biz Markie, was an American rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ, and record producer who gained prominence during hip hop's golden age. Within hip hop he was particularly recognized for his humorous, comedic style, often being called by his nickname, the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop".
Markie's achieved mainstream success with his 1989 single "Just a Friend", which reached No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a platinum-certified hit. The song has since been widely regarded as a classic, featured prominently in pop culture and recognized on VH1's list of the greatest hip-hop songs. Throughout his career, Markie was associated with influential hip-hop groups and labels, notably the Juice Crew collective and Cold Chillin' Records.
Beyond his music, Biz Markie had an extensive presence on television and film, appearing in various roles and voiceovers in popular shows, movies, and commercials, including Men in Black II, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Empire, and SpongeBob SquarePants. He also appeared as himself in numerous television and radio broadcasts, and became a cultural personality extending beyond the music industry.
Biz Markie continued performing and making media appearances until health complications related to type 2 diabetes limited his activities in 2020. He died in July 2021 at the age of 57. Following his death, his legacy has been honored through various tributes, including street dedications, public memorials, and the release of the documentary film "All Up in the Biz."
Markie was born in Manhattan in the neighborhood of Harlem, New York City, on April 8, 1964. He was raised on Long Island in the hamlet of Brentwood and the village of Patchogue, where he spent his teenage years and where, on September 25, 2021, the intersection of South Street and West Avenue, across the street from his then-home, was dedicated as Biz Markie Way. He graduated from Longwood High School in Middle Island in 1982. Markie began his career in New York City nightclubs and later gained regional recognition by performing at colleges in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Regarding the origin of his stage name, the rapper said:
Biz comes from the first hip-hop tape I heard. It was '77, '78, from the L Brothers. Grand Wizard Theodore was the DJ, and the rappers was Kevvy Kev, Master Rob and Busy Bee Starski. I loved Busy Bee. Busy Bee just stuck with me. My name used to be Bizzy B Markie, and after a while I put the Biz with the Markie. My nickname in my neighborhood was Markie.
In the early 1980s after meeting in a mall, Biz Markie and Roxanne Shante developed a close friendship that led to their collaboration on the 1986 freestyle track "Def Fresh Crew", with Biz Markie beatboxing as depicted in the Netflix movie Roxanne Roxanne. Biz Markie played a significant role in Shante's early career and is considered a pioneer in the rap industry. Up until his death in 2021, they remained friends.
Biz Markie was interviewed in the 1986 cult documentary Big Fun in the Big Town. Markie released his debut album Goin' Off in 1988, which attracted a fair amount of attention, largely due to the lead single, "Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz". The album also featured the underground hit singles "Nobody Beats The Biz", "Vapors", and "Pickin' Boogers". Biz also appeared briefly in the music video for Rob Base's single "It Takes Two".
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