We sadly report that the legendary Biz Markie has passed away at the age of 57. His manager confirmed this information with a statement. “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”.
Biz Markie, whose real name was Marcell Hall, battled with complications of diabetes for a few a years now. In 2020, he was hospitalized in Maryland and treated for complications due to his history with Type II diabetes. The rapper was said to have suffered from a stroke while in a diabetic coma.
He will forever be a staple in the music industry with some of his hits like the cult classic “Just A Friend” that went platinum in 1990. As hip hop royalty, his legacy will always be remembered, and he knew that. In an interview with The Post, he once said
“The weirdest thing about my fame is that when I’m thinking that it’s almost over it just sparks back up,” . “I made ‘Just a Friend’ in ’89. Some people’s records die — it sprouts up. Now it’s 30 years later and it’s sprouted up again in commercials. They’re not letting me die. The public, the fans, they like me around.”
“I’m going to be Biz Markie until I die,” he said. “Even after I die I’m going to be Biz Markie.”
