Biz Markie Has Not Passed Away, Family Releases Statement On False Rumors

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Too often, many celebrities go viral after news regarding their passing has gone viral. In many cases, those rumors are untrue, and Biz Markie seems to be the latest victim of gossip that spread like wildfire. On Wednesday (June 30) evening, tragic news regarding the alleged death of the beloved “Just a Friend” icon began to circulate, and soon, news outlets were reporting that the 57-year-old rapper had passed away. 

However, within an hour, those close to Markie surfaced online to condemn the rumors while offering updates about his health. “Folks, @BizMarkie has NOT died,” tweeted journalist Roland Martin. “I have been in contact with sources who are texting and talking to his wife.”

Biz Markie
Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images

“My source talked to Biz TODAY,” Martin continued. “Per his wife, Biz HAS NOT passed away. Please stop responding to non-credible sources. This hurts the family, friends and fans.” Not long after these tweets were fired off, news outlets began deleting their articles about Biz Markie’s death. After a Twitter user stated that Martin spoke with Markie directly, Martin returned to clarify.

“No, I did not talk to @BizMarkie today. My source, an industry legend, did. And my source was texting his wife ONE MINUTE before I sent the tweet. Biz’s wife have me permission to send the tweet correcting this erroneous story,” he said. Later, an official statement was released by the rapper’s loved ones.

The statement reads:

“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.

Last July, the rapper was reportedly hospitalized for weeks following a stroke, and later, his rep came forward to deny rumors that Markie was in a coma. We wish nothing but the best for Biz Markie. Read through the posts below.

DVSN, Ty Dolla Sign, And Mac Miller’s ‘I Believed It’ Reflects On A Past Lover Who Broke Their Promise

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Every now and then we receive an unexpected collaboration from two or more artists and this new track seems to be one of those. DVSN, Ty Dolla Sign, and the late Mac Miller bring their talents together for their new song, “I Believe It.” It’s a reflective effort that finds the trio looking back on their past with a former lover who broke all the promises they once hoped to keep. Along with the song, DVSN announced a joint project with Ty Dolla Sign is “on the way” in a post to Twitter.

While the song marks the first time the three artists have collaborated on a song, it’s not the first time the individual acts have worked with one of the names on the song. Last year, DVSN recruited Ty Dolla Sign for “Dangerous City” off their third album, A Muse In Their Feelings while Mac Miller worked with Ty Dolla Sign back in 2016 on “Cinderella” from the late rapper’s album, The Divine Feminine. Prior to the song’s release, DVSN and Ty Dolla Sign both shared videos of them working on “I Believed It” with Mac Miller in the studio, confirming that the song was worked on and finished before Mac’s tragic death.

The song comes after DVSN shared a deluxe reissue of A Muse In Their Feelings and weeks after Ty Dolla Sign joined YG and Mozzy in the video for “Vibe With You.” As for Mac Miller, the late rapper has a book on the way comprised of stories from his friends and collaborators.

You can press play on “I Believe It” in the video above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Young Nudy Revealed Why It’s Hard For Him To Collaborate With Other Artists

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While collaborations between multiple artists have never been more common, not every artist is really on that page. Maybe that’s because he already has dueling alter egos to deal with? At least according to his brand new tour, “Dr. Ev4l Vs. Rich Shooter.” Anyway, in a recent interview with Young Nudy on the Big Facts podcast with DJ Scream and Big Bank, he talked about the sometimes challenging aspects of music industry niceties.

“You gotta go in there and fake smile with somebody in the motherf*cker,” he said. “They not just going to let you in the door.” Later on in the episode he doubles back down on the challenges of a sometimes finicky industry. “They will tell me they f*ck with me doe, but you know how that sh*t go,” he continue. “But, sh*t, I don’t know. I don’t really be, like, having nobody where I be like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m excited to work with this person.’ If you gonna do it, you gonna do it. If you don’t, I don’t get a f*ck. Imma finished that sh*t anyways… So I don’t know.”

Despite all that, on his latest project, DR. EV4L does have a few collaborations — with his cousin 21 Savage of course, and G Herbo and Lil Uzi Vert — but when it comes to artists who aren’t in his immediate circle, looks like they’re going to have to wait, or come totally real.

Brent Faiyaz And Drake Hope The Love Of Their Lives Will Enjoy ‘Wasting Time’ With Them

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From the early moments of his career to today, Drake has always offered a hand in spotlighting acts within the newer generation of both hip-hop and R&B. This includes ASAP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar, who he brought on to headline his 2012 Club Paradise tour before they earned their respective mainstream breakouts within the year that followed. Other names include Jhene Aiko, Migos, Lil Baby, and most recently Yung Bleu. The Toronto rapper’s streak continues with “Wasting Time,” his latest track alongside Brent Faiyaz.

He guests on The Neptunes-produced song that finds the pair pouring out their hearts to a special woman in their lives. While there might be issues in their growing relationship, Brent and Drake still desire to spend their free time with the respective women they have so much love for.

This song arrives after Brent grew to be one of 2020’s most popular R&B acts thanks to his F*ck The World project. The ten-track effort showed a more narcissistic side of the singer, one that often dipped into toxic habits within love. Recently, he’s kept fans happy with singles that include “Gravity” with Tyler The Creator and “Show U Off“.

As for Drake, the rapper continues to make his supporters wait for his upcoming sixth album, Certified Lover Boy. The project was supposed to arrive at the top of the year, but multiple delays have left fans with nothing but its lead single, “Laugh Now Cry Later” with Lil Durk, and hope that it arrives sooner than later.

You can press play on “Wasting Time” in the video above.

Nas, Freddie Gibbs, And Cordae Reflect On How ‘Life Is Like A Dice Game’

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Three generations of hip-hop’s top technicians come together on “Life Is Like A Dice Game,” a new Nas release from Spotify’s Spotify Singles program in conjunction with the RapCaviar playlist. A&Red by Carl Chery of Spotify and produced by Hit-Boy, the single spawned from Nas’ 1993 sessions for his canon classic debut album Illmatic, where he freestyled the verse but never finished a song for it.

Now, nearly 30 years later, Spotify has completed the song, adding a beat from Hit-Boy and verses from two of Nas’s most clear-cut successors in Freddie Gibbs and Cordae, both elite MCs in their own rights, to finally put the freestyle’s portentous final line — “When I finish the sh*t, it’s going to be a hit” — to the test.

Nas explained how the track came together in a press release, saying, “Spotify pulled out a leak from the 90s that I did eons ago, and asked if I could resurrect it. I can’t remember where I recorded it, or who produced it – maybe Easy Moe Bee, he was killin’ the game at the time! Carl Chery from Spotify suggested we connect with Freddie & Cordae to bring the song new life and I loved it.”

July also marks the 25th anniversary of Nas’ follow-up to Illmatic, the criminally underrated It Was Written, which dropped on July 2 in 1996, as well as the 30th anniversary of Nas’ universally lauded breakout verse on Main Source’s “Live At The Barbecue,” which changed the rap landscape on July 23, 1991.

Listen to Nas’ “Life Is Like A Dice Game” featuring Cordae and Freddie Gibbs below.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Dvsn & Ty Dolla $ign Share “I Believed It” Featuring A Posthumous Look From Mac Miller

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We received Mac Miller’s final album Circles last year, but fans are excited about hearing an unreleased verse from the late rapper. The Hip Hop world was devastated to learn of Miller’s untimely death back in 2018, and since that time, his estate has carefully preserved his legacy. On Thursday (July 1), dvsn and Ty Dolla $ign kicked off the month with a new single “I Believed It,” and it hosts a posthumous appearance by Miller.

On their Instagram page, dvsn shared behind-the-scenes moments with Miller in the studio, and the arrival of “I Believed It” came along with a huge announcement for the duo. Ty Dolla $ign and dvsn will be releasing a project together and it will reportedly come courtesy of OVO Sound. This isn’t the first time that these artists have collaborated, but it will exciting to hear how their sounds will blend together on a joint album.

Stream “I Believed It” and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

I know you gon’ listen when I stop talkin’
And you’re gonna miss me when I start walkin’
You start lookin’ for me when I start watchin’
Drive each other crazy, but I still want you
Still want your crazy ass and all your mood swings
Still want you, but I’m movin’ on to new things

Nas Ressurects 1993 Freestyle For “Life Is Like A Dice Game” Single Ft. Freddie Gibbs & Cordae

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This track comes with a bit of Hip Hop history and Nas proves that no matter how long it has been, he’s determined to finish a track. Back in 1993, Nasir Jones dropped his “Life Is Like A Dice Game” freestyle as a part of his Illmatic sessions. The original freestyle closed with Nas saying, “When I finish the sh*t, it’s going to be a hit,” however, he didn’t complete the track until now.

“Life Is Like A Dice Game” comes courtesy of RapCaviar x Spotify Singles as the series’ third installment. Spotify’s Head of Urban, Carl Chery, reportedly was the A&R behind the completion of this decades-old track and was instrumental in getting Hit-Boy to remake the beat and produce the updated single. With a new verse by Nas on deck and additional bars by Freddie Gibbs and Cordae, “Life Is Like A Dice Game” is a track you don’t want to miss.

“Spotify pulled out a leak from the 90s that I did eons ago, and asked if I could resurrect it,” said Nas. “I can’t remember where I recorded it, or who produced it – maybe Easy Moe Bee, he was killin’ the game at the time! Carl Chery from Spotify suggested we connect with Freddie & Cordae to bring the song new life and I loved it.”

Stream “Life Is Like A Dice Game” and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

LIfe’s a gamble
Although the stakes are heightened I can handle
Any darkness that try to penetrate my light is ample
Set the right example
My dark dreams are divine
I live life on this earth to complete what’s assigned
My mission given
I was birthed the same year as It Was Written

Brent Faiyaz & Drake Team Up On Smooth Banger “Wasting Time”

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The Neptunes never seem to miss and they certainly didn’t stray from their longstanding, praiseworthy reputation on “Wasting Time.” This collaboration between Brent Faiyaz and Drake came as a surprise to fans after it was “leaked” on Wednesday (June 30), but its arrival was well received and with good measure. 

While it’s widely known that Drake is carefully completing his highly-anticipated sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy, Faiyaz’s “Wasting Time” may prove that the R&B crooner is preparing for a full-length release of his own. Throughout 2021, Faiyaz has delivered a slew of singles including “Show U Off” and “Eden,” so fans are awaiting news about his upcoming plans now that outside is open once again.

Meanwhile, on “Wasting Time,” you’ll find both Drizzy and Brent pining over the ladies in their lives, going over the reasons why the objects of their affections should be spending their free moments with them rather than anyone else. Stream Brent Faiyaz and Drake’s “Wasting Time” and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

The Ten Thousand Building, get your ass an apartment
Put you inside a G-Class, that’s just the starter kit
Plenty things count in life, but none of them is a thought of it
New piece around my neck, it’s chest games
‘Cause shorty stay with calculatin’ moves, like Beth Harmon

Lil Kim “Pleads The Fifth” When Asked About “Top 5” Rappers, But Names Biggie & Drake

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Most rappers are more than happy to share their “Top 5” or “Top 10” lists, but Lil Kim is keeping her choices close to the chest. The music legend recently appeared on the 2021 BET Awards stage to help honor Queen Latifah by performing “U.N.I.T.Y.,” but prior to her sharing her talents, Kim chatted with AllHipHop on the red carpet. She was asked about what she has coming up next and Lil Kim quickly plugged her forthcoming memoir,The Queen Bee.

“I have a book coming out in November, so, remember that,” the rapper began. “That will be the beginning of the next level and phase of Lil Kim, just keep watching and you’ll see.”

Lil Kim, Memoir
Paras Griffin / Stringer / Getty Images

Kim vocalized her excitement about the memoir’s release and suggested that there are portions of her life that have yet to be addressed publicly. “People think they know me, but they don’t, you know what mean?” she said. Before being rushed off, the interviewer wanted to know Lil Kim’s “top five rappers dead or alive,” and it was clear that the New York femcee didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.

“Oh! I plead the fifth,” she answered. “‘Cause I have so many. I don’t want to sit here and just forget anybody.” However, she dropped off two names. “Everyone knows Biggie is always in my heart so…and everyone knows I love Drake.” Fans are still curious as to what her other choices may be, but Kim at least shared two of those five choices.

Check out the clip of Lil Kim on the 2021 BET Awards red carpet below.

Britney Spears’ Request To Have Her Father Removed As Her Co-Conservator Was Denied

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Last month, Britney Spears reportedly had plans to speak with a judge about removing her father as co-conservator. But now, a week after she made her first testimony about her situation, a judge denied her request.

According to TMZ, Britney was not looking to push her other co-conservator, Jodi Montgomery, out of their role as she was satisfied with their work. However, her displeasure with the way her father has handled the conservatorship pushed her to request his removal. Unfortunately for the singer, her father will retain his position, but Bessemer Trust, a financial planning company from Boston, will step in as co-conservator of her finances with Jamie for the time being.

This comes after the singer’s father reportedly said he is not the one restricting her freedoms. According to TMZ, Jamie said he is not in control of things like Britney’s birth control usage and how much time she spends with her boyfriend. He adds that “he has been cut off from communicating with her.” Jamie noted that while he’s in charge of her finances, co-conservator Jodi Montgomery is in charge of her day-to-day decisions and has been for the last two years.

The judge’s denial comes a week after Britney called the conservatorship “abusive” during a hearing about the court-ordered arrangement. “I’ve been in denial,” she admitted. “I’ve been in shock. I am traumatized. I just want my life back.”