Biz Markie

Today In Hip Hop History: Biz Markie’s ‘The Biz Never Sleeps’ LP Released 34 Years Ago

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The “Diabolical” Biz dropped his second full length album 34 years ago today

A 25 year old Marcel Hall aka Biz Markie aka the Diabolical Biz put out his sophomore LP The Biz Never Sleeps thirty four years ago on this date.

After the success of his debut album Goin’ Off just a year prior, Biz dropped his second album on the Cold Chillin’/Warner Bros. imprint, which was highly anticipated because of the smash single “Just A Friend” leading the way. There were a few other singles like “Spring Again”, “Dedication”, and “Things Get A Little Easier” that were sure shot favorites of the harshest rap critics.

Unlike most of Biz’s work, this album was done without the help of production legend DJ Marley Marl, with Cool V and Biz himself doing the lion’s share of the work behind the boards. This was also the project that landed the L.I. beatbox/DJ/emcee in hot water due to sampling issues, which was magnified in Hip Hop almost single-handedly due to this certified gold classic. With tidbits of music from everyone from Kraftwerk to Curtis Mayfield, this kaleidoscopic Hip Hop journey will forever be etched in music history.

Saute to Biz Mark, DJ Cutmaster Cool V, Paul C, Fly Ty and everyone else for bring this musical gem!

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Today In Hip Hop History: The Source Magazine Remembers Hip Hop Legend Biz Markie Three Years Later

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Biz Markies DJ Reveals They Never Made Money From Just A Friend Record

Marcel Theo Hall  known as Biz Markie was born on April 8, 1964, in Harlem, NY. Biz Markie adopted his stage name when he began his career in New York City as a teenage beatboxer and freestyle rapper. His 1989 hit “Just a Friend” ranked Top 40 in multiple countries and went platinum. Three years ago, the Hip Hop world lost this trailblazer when he passed away from complications of diabetes in 2021.

Biz Markie had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in his late 40s and said that he lost 140 pounds in the years that followed. “I wanted to live,” he told ABC News in 2014. The cause of death remains unknown, but he was hospitalized in 2020 due to complications from diabetes.  

The Harlem born rapper had a 35-year career that touched many and his rep left a statement during the time of his death that sums up how Biz’s death affected the entire Hip Hop community.

“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 and frequent banter. We respectfully request privacy for his family as they mourn their loved one.”

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Source Magazine Remembers Hip Hop Legend Biz Markie Three Years Later first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Source Magazine Remembers Hip Hop Legend Biz Markie Three Years Later appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Biz Markie Dropped His Debut Album ‘Goin’ Off’ 36 Years Ago

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On this date in the infamous year of 1988, the late, great “Human Orchestra” Biz Markie released his debut full-length album Goin’ Off on Cold Chillin’/Warner Brothers Records.

Produced exclusively by legendary Queensbridge superproducer DJ Marley Marl, Goin Off introduced singer TJ Swan and a then-unknown rapper named Big Daddy Kane. The Brooklyn protege of Biz Mark also wrote the first five songs on the album and was even the subject on the second verse of one of Biz’s most famous songs from the ten-track album, “Vapors.”

Forget that he was a member of the World Famous Juice Crew. With several timeless gems from the album, including “Nobody Beats The Biz,” “The Biz Dance,” and “Make The Music With Your Mouth,” Biz Mark solidified his position in the game single-handedly with his debut release. Back in 1998, this album was even listed by The Source’s Mind Squad as one of The Best 100 Rap Albums of all time.

Salute to the Biz(RIP), Marley, TJ Swan, Kane, Shante, Fly Ty, and the rest of the Juice Crew and the Cold Chillin’ crew who made this album a piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Biz Markie Dropped His Debut Album ‘Goin’ Off’ 36 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Biz Markie Dropped His Debut Album ‘Goin’ Off’ 36 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Grand Daddy I.U. Dropped His Debut LP ‘Smooth Assassin’ 33 Years Ago

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On this date in 1990, Long Island rap juggernaut Grand Daddy I.U. released his debut album Smooth Assassin under the Cold Chillin’ Records umbrella. With production from the late Biz Markie and his DJ Cool V, Smooth Assassin was a street-wise, conceptual album with I.U. manifesting a flow that many almost immediately compared to Rakim.

The 16-track album featured a couple of radio friendly tracks; “Something New”, which features singers Desiree Price, Raezia Rolle and Toni Rolle. “Sugar Free” features singer Mary Brown respectively. He also kept it gully for the streets with songs like “Nobody Move”, “Girl In The Mall” and “Behind Bars”.

The Hip Hop community lost another chapter to its 50 year history when Ayub “I.U.” Bey passed away last December at 54 years old. Smooth Assassin was I.U.’s only full length studio release that received a push from a major label. Salute to I.U., Biz, Cool V, DJ Kay Cee and everyone who played a part in making this album a success and a part of Hip Hip history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Grand Daddy I.U. Dropped His Debut LP ‘Smooth Assassin’ 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Grand Daddy I.U. Dropped His Debut LP ‘Smooth Assassin’ 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Biz Markie’s ‘The Biz Never Sleeps’ LP Released 33 Years Ago

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The “Diabolical” Biz dropped his second full length album 33 years ago today

A 25 year old Marcel Hall aka Biz Markie aka the Diabolical Biz put out his sophomore LP The Biz Never Sleeps thirty two years ago on this date.

After the success of his debut album Goin’ Off just a year prior, Biz dropped his second album on the Cold Chillin’/Warner Bros. imprint, which was highly anticipated because of the smash single “Just A Friend” leading the way. There were a few other singles like “Spring Again”, “Dedication”, and “Things Get A Little Easier” that were sure shot favorites of the harshest rap critics.

Unlike most of Biz’s work, this album was done without the help of production legend DJ Marley Marl, with Cool V and Biz himself doing the lion’s share of the work behind the boards. This was also the project that landed the L.I. beatbox/DJ/emcee in hot water due to sampling issues, which was magnified in Hip Hop almost single-handedly due to this certified gold classic. With tidbits of music from everyone from Kraftwerk to Curtis Mayfield, this kaleidoscopic Hip Hop journey will forever be etched in music history.

Saute to Biz Mark, DJ Cutmaster Cool V, Paul C, Fly Ty and everyone else for bring this musical gem!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Biz Markie’s ‘The Biz Never Sleeps’ LP Released 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Biz Markie’s ‘The Biz Never Sleeps’ LP Released 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Marley Marl Dropped The Juice Crew Debut Album ‘In Control Vol. 1’ 35 Years Ago

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The title of “super producer” is not one to be taken lightly. For every era of Hip-Hop, there is a man behind the keys set the tone. Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, RZA, Swizz Beatz, Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, The Neptunes, Mike Will Made-It, and Metro Boomin are among the few who have dictated what Hip Hop has sounded like over the years. Super producers have even spanned genres to influenced music as a whole, bringing the Hip Hop style to the masses.

On this day in Hip Hop history the culture’s first super producer, Marley Marl, released his debut compilation, In Control, Vol. 1, and forever changed the sound of Hip Hop. Before this album, Marley Marl’s true importance to Hip Hop had yet to be openly stated. It was known that he had a hand in some of the biggest records to have out at the time but this album put them all in the same place, proving what Marley Marl was doing to help Hip Hop evolve.

Before Marley Marl, Hip Hop production was quite primitive: the drums were sounded synthetic, the loops were monotonous, and as a whole production was more of a skeleton waiting to be filled by an MC. Marley Marl gave the instrumental life. His signature drum loops and soulful samples brought a new tone to Hip Hop. A Marley Mal beat served less as a compliment to the artist’s ability and more as fuel to jumpstart the intensity of the rapper, bringing out the best in him or her.

Commercially, this album was the success it was bound to be. Featuring Juice Crew members Biz Markie, Craig G., Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Heavy D, and more from Marley Marl’s private army. Pushed by the infamous Cold Chillin’ Records, the album peaked at #163 on the Billboard 200 and brought great publicity to Cold Chillin’ as a top label in Hip Hop. Following this album, the label rose to become a household name in Hip-Hop and Marl Marley grew to become an immortal icon of Hip Hop culture.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Marley Marl Dropped The Juice Crew Debut Album ‘In Control Vol. 1’ 35 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Marley Marl Dropped The Juice Crew Debut Album ‘In Control Vol. 1’ 35 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Hip Hop Forever: Mary J. Blige, Wu-Tang Clan, Diddy & More Take Over Madison Square For The Genre’s 50th Anniversary

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Method Man, Mary J. Blige, Diddy

Hot97 and WLBS-FM recently hosted a celebratory event to honor hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. DJ Funk Flex curated the lineup and performances from artists that include Mary J. Blige, Wu-Tang Clan, Diddy, EPMD, and more. Hip Hop Forever: The Celebration Continues  On Friday, September 15, Hot97 and WLBS-FM hosted a celebratory event at Madison Square Garden […]

The post Hip Hop Forever: Mary J. Blige, Wu-Tang Clan, Diddy & More Take Over Madison Square For The Genre’s 50th Anniversary appeared first on SOHH.com.

MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie & More In ‘Top Shelf 1988’ Documentary

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Top Shelf 1988

MC Lyte, Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, and other rap legends will be featured in a documentary about the compilation album Top Shelf 1988. The documentary, celebrating Rostrum Records’ 20th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, will tell the story of how the album started the rap label in 1988.  The August 1988 Riot […]

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Biz Markie’s Wife Claims the Late Rapper’s Instagram is Being Held Hostage

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Biz Markie's Wife Claims the Late Rapper's Instagram is Being Held Hostage

The wife of late Hip-Hop icon Biz Markie, Tara Hall, has started the “Save Biz Markies IG” hashtag after claiming his former manager holds his Instagram account hostage.

AllHipHop reports Hall notes Markie’s former manager will not give up access to the account and is posting without consent. She notes Markie’s IG was a “special place” where he would connect with his friends, and she wants to respect and honor that legacy.

“I kindly request your support and solidarity during this time,” Hall wrote. “If you have any fond memories, photos, or messages you’d like to share about Biz Markie, please feel free to do so and tag @just.a.friend.foundation to keep his memory alive. We are seeking assistance from the Instagram community and the wider hip-hop family to raise awareness about this situation. Together, we can ensure that Biz Markie’s digital presence remains a place of love, positivity, and remembrance.”

The post Biz Markie’s Wife Claims the Late Rapper’s Instagram is Being Held Hostage first appeared on The Source.

The post Biz Markie’s Wife Claims the Late Rapper’s Instagram is Being Held Hostage appeared first on The Source.

Biz Markie’s Legacy to Be Celebrated With New Documentary On Showtime

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The legendary late rapper Biz Markie, known for his iconic hit “Just A Friend,” will be honored with an all-new documentary film on Showtime. The documentary titled All Up In The Biz: The Life and Rhymes Of Biz Markie is set to premiere in August 2023. The film aims to celebrate the life and legacy […]

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