One of the most beloved rappers will finally have his story told. Showtime is producing a documentary on Biz Markie titled All Up In The Biz. As spotted on HipHopDX the late-great MC’s life and career will be explored in a feature film. Directed by Sacha Jenkins, All Up In The Biz intends to shine “a spotlight […]
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty On Sunda night (Sept. 19), Cedric The Entertainer hosted the 73rd annual Emmy Awards and keeping it a buck for the culture decided to pay tribute to the late-great Biz Markie with the help of some celebrity friends. To open the awards show, Cedric kicked things off by performing a rendition of Biz Markie’s classic cut “Just A Friend,” but he didn’t go at it alone as LL Cool J, Lil Dicky, and Rita Wilson (Tom Hank’s wife), spit their own bars much to the delight of the small audience in attendance. Wilson’s verse only lasted a few bars and mainly focused on Sesame Street, but even in those few seconds of rapping she showed and proved to be better on the mic than her son, Shabba Hanks aka Chet Hanks. Wouldn’t be surprised if Soulja...
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Al Pereira / Getty Hip-Hop is still mourning the loss of Biz Markie, born Marcel Theo Hall. The iconic rapper’s funeral service is set for Monday, August 2, in Long Island and the Reverend Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy. Sharpton and his National Action Network announced details of the Biz’s homegoing on Friday (July 30). The private service will be held at The Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts. Plenty of fellow legends plan to be in attendance. including LL Cool, Fat Joe and his Juice Crew partner in rhyme Big Daddy Kane. Reportedly, there will be a private viewing for family and close friends from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by the proper funeral service from 1:30 p.m, to 3:30 p.m. According to TMZ, the Biz will be dipped in a custom Dap...
I envisioned an overcrowded Chinatown, and those glazed shiny ducks rotating around in the display windows of the restaurants. I remember feeling mournful for the ducks; their skin dripping with grease and crackling, the flames scorching their meat to the bone like a sacrifice for all to see. I would stop mid-stride against the determined shoppers and think, “that’s really fucking disgusting.” But today, I’m totally convinced those ducks had it way better than I did. For on this day I would find myself on a bus without working air conditioning—stuffed in the middle bunk of twelve sleeping compartments. Even though I had survived New York City summers, where the heat rising off the pavement would distort buildings and create optical illusions that made the buildings do sexy belly dances. Th...
Following Biz Markie’s death on Friday evening, numerous tributes honoring the rapper’s legacy flooded social media. On Saturday, Mike D of the Beastie Boys remembered the trio’s longtime friend in a tribute posted on the group’s social media platforms. “We are so grateful to have had so many unforgettable experiences with the truly unique and ridiculously talented Biz Markie. We will miss his presence deeply in so many ways. In the ’90s, Biz would often show up at our G Son studio in Atwater [Village], CA. Naturally every visit would start with a trip to the candy store — which in this case was actually a liquor store across the street. Regardless, he would always return happy with a brown paper bag full of treats. Once he had his sugar fix, he would typically grab a mic and sing whatever...
Biz Markie, the legendary rapper who is one of the genre’s biggest personalities since its early breakthrough, has died at the age of 57 in Baltimore, SPIN has confirmed with his manager, Jenni Izumi. Here’s the statement obtained by SPIN: 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. 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. He leaves behind a wife, many family members and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes an...
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Al Pereira / Getty Recently, an erroneously reported news story caused rumors of Biz Markie’s death to spread while the rapper is alive but unfortunately not well. Big Daddy Kane recently took to social media to take media to task for moving too fast and not considering the ramifications it can have on the fans, friends and family of those involved. Soon after the Revolt post wrongly saying Biz Markie had died, reporters like Roland S. Martin began refuting the claim citing family members, including the “Nobody Beats The Biz” rapper’s wife, relaying that he had definitely not passed away. On Thursday (July 1), Big Daddy Kane took to Instagram to share that his friend needs your prayers, and had some words for those prematurely announcing his death. “For t...
On Wednesday night, news of Biz Markie’s death spread like wildfire on Twitter. But as usual with stuff that spreads on the social media platform, the news was incorrect. In a statement obtained by SPIN, Biz’s manager, Jenni Izumi, confirmed that the rapper is still alive. “The news of Biz Markie’s passing is not true. Biz is still under medical care, surrounded by professionals who are working hard to provide the best healthcare possible. Biz’s wife and family are touched by the outpouring of love and admiration from his friends, peers and fans alike. At this time, we ask for your continued thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Izumi said. Biz has battled health problems in the past six months or so. In December, the rapper was hospitalized due to complications from Type 2 dia...
Source: W.Wade/WENN / WENN Prayers up to a Hip-Hop legend. Juice Crew rapper Biz Markie has been in a Maryland hospital battling an undisclosed illness for weeks. Fortunately, it’s not COVID-19. However, it seems that the Biz is fighting for his life. Reports TMZ: Biz’s rep tells TMZ the illness is not coronavirus. The rep went on to say the trigger for the hospitalization is that he suffers from Type II Diabetes. He’s currently in a Maryland-area hospital and the status of his condition is unclear, but it appears serious. The rep told us, “He is receiving the best care from an amazing team of medical professionals and we remain positive about the outcome.” Back in 2014 Biz talked about his diabetes diagnosis and how he lost 140 pounds to get it under control — he went from 385 lbs to 244 ...