Biz Markie, known for his inclination towards juvenile humor and goofy, tuneless choruses, often masked his true talent as a freestyle rhymer. Despite facing challenges in translating his wild rhyming skills to recordings, he showcased his creativity through silly humor and sample-rich productions, demonstrating that hip-hop could be both humorous and melodious while maintaining street cred. His unique style propelled his second album, ‘The Biz Never Sleeps,’ to gold status, with the iconic single ‘Just a Friend’ breaking into the Top Ten pop charts. Despite being hailed as the ‘Clown Prince of Hip-Hop,’ Biz Markie encountered setbacks, notably a lawsuit from Gilbert O’Sullivan over an unauthorized sample on his 1991 album ‘I Need a Haircut,’ which impacted his career significantly. This legal battle culminated in the release of his final ’90s album, ‘All Samples Cleared!’ in 1993. However, his influence endured as the Beastie Boys and alternative rap groups acknowledged his contribution to the genre, reviving his reputation in the mid-’90s.
Born Marcel Hall in New York, Biz Markie rose to fame in the early ’80s by captivating audiences at Manhattan nightclubs like the Funhouse and the Roxy with his rap skills. His encounter with producer Marley Marl in 1985 marked a significant turn in his career, leading to collaborations with acts like MC Shan and Roxanne Shanté. Signing with Cold Chillin’ in 1988, Biz released his debut album, ‘Goin’ Off,’ which gained popularity through underground hits like ‘Vapors’ and ‘Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz.’ His breakthrough into the mainstream came with the success of ‘Just a Friend,’ a chart-topping single from ‘The Biz Never Sleeps,’ solidifying his status in the hip-hop scene. Despite his initial rise to fame, Biz Markie faced adversity following a lawsuit from Gilbert O’Sullivan, resulting in the withdrawal of his album ‘I Need a Haircut’ and a shift in hip-hop sampling regulations. Throughout the late ’90s, Biz maintained a low profile, making sporadic appearances and focusing on DJ’ing rather than recording.
In the early 2000s, Biz Markie returned to the music scene with the release of ‘Weekend Warrior’ under Tommy Boy Records, although his fame surged with his participation in VH1’s ‘Celebrity Fit Club’ in 2005. Beyond his musical endeavors, Biz ventured into acting, appearing in films like ‘Men in Black II’ and ‘Sharknado 2: The Second One,’ as well as featuring on popular TV shows such as ‘Black-ish,’ ‘Spongebob Squarepants,’ and ‘Yo Gabba Gabba!’ Embracing his level of celebrity, Biz likened his career to the occasional reemergence of the McDonald’s McRib sandwich, delighting fans whenever he made an appearance. His legacy as a pioneer in hip-hop endured, and he continued to charm audiences until his passing on July 16, 2021, at the age of 57.