Biz Markie, a rapper, producer, DJ, and beatboxer from New York, has died at the age of 57.
According to spokesperson Jenni Izumi, he died peacefully with his wife by his side on Friday evening. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
Biz Markie’s biggest hit was the 1989 track “Just A Friend,” which charted at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and included his style of comedic narration. Biz Markie was dubbed the “Clown Prince of Hip Hop” because of his sense of humour.
The artist, whose true name is Marcel Theo Hall, was born in Harlem and raised on Long Island. He began his career as a nightclub performer in New York City, where he wowed audiences with his freestyle and beatboxing skills.
From 1988 until 2003, Biz Markie released five studio albums, with his second album, ‘The Biz Never Sleeps,’ proving to be his most successful, thanks to the success of the featured track ‘Just A Friend.’
In 2014, he was diagnosed with diabetes and spent many weeks in the hospital as a result of the disease in 2020.
Biz Markie has received tributes from all throughout the rap world and beyond.
