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Legendary Rapper and DJ Biz Markie Dead At 57

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Biz Markie (Marcel Theo Corridor) has reportedly died on the age of 57.

In line with a Fb submit made by his brother, Diamond Shell, the rapper handed away on Friday (July 16).

“To the baddest within the beats icon legend … my brother BIZ MARKIE… I’LL miss you greater than phrases ….” he wrote.

Moreover, TMZ confirmed the rapper’s dying whereas Rolling Stone acquired an announcement from Markie’s consultant.

“It’s with profound unhappiness that we announce, this night, together with his spouse Tara by his aspect, hip hop pioneer Biz Markie peacefully handed away,” his rep Jenni Izumi stated in an announcement offered to Rolling Stone. “We’re grateful for the numerous calls and prayers of help that we now have acquired throughout this troublesome time.

Izumi added: “Biz created a legacy of artistry that can eternally be celebrated by his trade friends and his beloved followers whose lives he was capable of contact by means of music, spanning over 35 years. He leaves behind a spouse, many relations and shut mates who will miss his vibrant character, fixed jokes and frequent banter. We respectfully request privateness for his household as they mourn their liked one.”

The pioneering MC had been hospitalized since July 2020 after affected by problems attributable to Sort II diabetes. It is not clear presently if that is what brought on his dying.

His longtime buddy and collaborator D-Good posted on Instagram on July 26 that Biz Markie was within the hospital, and he wished him a speedy restoration. The submit garnered hundreds of feedback from followers and celebrities alike, a lot of whom had been studying about his well being standing for the primary time. 

“We’re grateful for the priority from his followers and trade friends however respectfully request privateness for Biz and his household presently,” Markie’s supervisor Jenni Izumi stated after information of Biz’ hospitalization grew to become broadly recognized. 

RELATED: Biz Markie Illness: Rap Stars Including Fat Joe, Missy Elliot, Chuck D And More Send Up Prayers

Biz made his Sort II diabetes standing public in 2014 and famous that the prognosis prompted him to lose 140 kilos. 

Referred to as the “Clown Prince of Hip Hop” due to his humorous lyrics, Biz was a hip hop star on the daybreak of the style within the Eighties. Different rappers on the time popping out of New York included his Juice Crew colleagues Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante, and Kool G Rap. All of them had their very own explicit types, they usually every took their careers to legendary ranges. 

Biz Markie’s 1989 hit “Just A Friend” showcased his singing/rapping/beatboxing talents. The tune playfully informed the story of a younger man attempting to navigate a “situationship” on a university campus. The infectious hook, which sampled a Nineteen Sixties tune, grew to become an instantaneous traditional. Within the Eighties, when music movies had been a significant a part of networks’ programming, the “Simply A Buddy” video even additional popularized the tune and Biz himself. It was even nominated for Finest Rap Video on the MTV’s Video Music Awards that 12 months.  In 2016, Biz carried out the tune on an episode of the ABC hit sequence Empire and in 2017, he carried out it once more on Black-ish, which is a testomony to the longevity of the observe.

Biz’s different notable classics and fan favorites embrace “No one Beats the Biz,” “The Vapors,” and “Pickin’ Boogers.” His Beastie Boys collaboration on a canopy of Elton John’s “Benny and the Jets” is a genre-bending tune beloved by many. 

RELATED: Biz Markie Hospitalized In Serious Condition: Report

His gregarious nature allowed him to increase into tv and movie. Biz had a memorable function alongside Will Smith in Males in Black II as an alien whose language was beatboxing. He was on Season 1 of Celeb Match Membership, a forged member on Nick Cannon’s standard present Wild n’ Out, and he had his personal section on Nick Jr’s Yo Gabba Gabba. 

Along with serving as Chris Rock’s opening act for his 2008 No Apologies tour, Biz additionally made appearances on quite a few tv packages and cartoons, together with SpongeBob SquarePants, Hip Hop Squares, and Mad.

“After I make a report, I don’t simply make it for one goal—I do it for a lot of completely different causes. I don’t assume I’ll be remembered for only one factor,” he stated in a 2014 interview.

Biz Markie is survived by his spouse, Tara.

Extra reporting by Paul Meara

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