Biz Markie

Biz Markie in 2014, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Marcel Theo Hall

Date of Birth: April 8, 1964

Place of Birth: Harlem, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Death: July 16, 2021

Place of Death: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

Ethnicity: African-American

Biz Markie was an American rapper, DJ, and record producer. He was known for his 1989 song “Just a Friend.” He was referred to as the “Clown Prince of Hip Hop.” Biz Markie was a member of hip hop collective Juice Crew. Big Daddy Kane was also a member of the group.

Biz was raised on Patchogue, Long Island. He took his first stage name, Bizzy B Markie, from the first hip-hop tape he heard. He was married to Tara, until his death.

Sources: Obituaries of Biz Markie –