Biz Markie, the 'Clown Prince of Hip-Hop,' Dead at 57
Source: Rolling Stone
Biz Markie, the pioneering rapper, producer, and beatboxer whose jovial goofiness and innovative samples made him a singular presence in hip-hop, died Friday at the age of 57. It is with profound sadness that we announce, this evening, with his wife Tara by his side, hip hop pioneer Biz Markie peacefully passed away, his rep Jenni Izumi said in a statement. We are grateful for the many calls and prayers of support that we have received during this difficult time.
Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years, Izumi added. He leaves behind a wife, many family members and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes and frequent banter. We respectfully request privacy for his family as they mourn their loved one. While a cause of death was not revealed, the rapper had struggled in recent years with health issues related to his decade-long battle with Type 2 diabetes. In April 2020, he was hospitalized due to complications related to the disease, and later that year suffered a stroke after going into a diabetic coma.
Although the rapper was rehabilitating, his condition continued to decline, leading to premature reports of Markies death in late June. Biz is still under medical care, surrounded by professionals who are working hard to provide the best health care possible, Izumi wrote in a statement to Rolling Stone at the time. Over the course of five albums most notably 1988s Goin Off and 1989s The Biz Never Sleeps the producer-MC, whose real name was Marcel Hall, developed his own style unlike any other rapper at the time: a mix of half-sung choruses, riveting beatboxing, and silly humor that would earn him the nickname the Clown Prince of Hip-Hop and pave the way for off-kilter rappers like Ol Dirty Bastard.
Although deemed one of hip-hops biggest one-hit wonders VH1 placed his 1989 classic Just a Friend at Number 81 on its 2000 list of the greatest one-hit wonders of all time the rappers impact extended far beyond hip-hops greatest friend-zone lament. The Harlem-born, Long Islandraised MC was a member of the legendary Juice Crew, the Queensbridge collective assembled by DJ Magic Mike and Marley Marl, and featuring fellow rappers like Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace, Roxanne Shante, and Kool G Rap.
Read more: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/biz-markie-dead-1191772/
Wow. I just hadn't heard much about him recently. R.I.P. from the old-school era.
Solly Mack
(90,758 posts)ancianita
(35,932 posts)videohead5
(2,165 posts)I never read anything different. It was all over the internet in June that he had died. RIP.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)effective treatments for both. RIP Biz.
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)It can happen, especially if it's not under control, unfortunately.
cstanleytech
(26,224 posts)level which can happen for type 2s.
I nearly reached that point myself about 15 years ago when I was checked into the hospital and they found out I was diabetic with a 900+ glucose level.
ZonkerHarris
(24,205 posts)RIP Biz.
greenjar_01
(6,477 posts)Vapors was one of my favorite jams!