Biz Markie, “Just a Friend” Rapper Dead at 57

In the beginning,  there was Marcel from Harlem

Old School Rapper, Biz Markie has died at 57 due to a series of complications from diabetes. Born Marcel Theo Hall on April 8, 1964, he resided in Harlem before he rose to fame. At his start, Markie would perform in New York City clubs. Then, he moved onto colleges where he began to get recognized and cut a record. 

A star is Born with a New name

The rapper was best know for the 1989 hit record, “Just a Friend.” The song was known globally and went platinum as it reached top 40 around the world. Consequently, Biz Markie was propelled into super stardom.

I WILL BE DJAYIN ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ON #rockthebellsradio channel 43 on #siriusxm THESE ARE THE TIMES SATURDAY 12:30PM EASTERN/9:30PACIFIC SUNDAY 10:30PM/EASTERN/7:30 PACIFIC MONDAY 5:30PM EASTERN/ 2:30 PACIFIC TUNE IN!!! pic.twitter.com/zjeWNTlYeU

— BIZ MARKIE (@BizMarkie) May 22, 2020

Additionally, The rapper acted in comedic roles and was a DJ. Some of his acting roles included In Living Color, Men in Black II, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Sharknado II.

How He Got His Name

“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.”

-Biz Markie on his stage name

His Final Moments

In April 2020, Markie was hospitalized due to severe complications from Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, In December 2020, it was reported Markie suffered a stroke related to a diabetic coma. Then, he was in a rehabilitation facility undergoing rehab.  However, his illness worsened and he was hospitalized once again but for a final time.

According to TMZ, he passed in a Baltimore hospital at 6:25 PM Friday night. His wife, Tara Hall was comforting him in his last moments staying by his hospital bed until his eventual death.

“I’m going to be Biz Markie until I die. Even after I die I’m going to be Biz Markie.”