[ad_1]
The rapper’s 1989 single has been playing for decades.
Rapper Biz Markie has passed away. He was 57 years old.
Markie, real name Marcel Theo Hall, was a rapper, producer and DJ in his career, but will always be known for his original 1989 single “Just a Friend”.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce this evening, with his wife Tara by his side, the pioneer of Hip Hop Biz Markie has passed away peacefully,” his representative said in a statement. “We are grateful for the many supportive calls and prayers we have received during this difficult time. Biz has created an artistic legacy that will be forever celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans he has been able to touch. life through music, over 35 years. “
“Just a Friend” was featured on Markie’s second studio album, “The Biz Never Sleeps”. It rose to No. 9 on the US charts and went platinum for selling over 2 million copies.
The song was the only Markie to make the top 100 of his career, but it cemented his legacy in hip-hop forever. It wasn’t just the song that was iconic, as was the video, which featured the rapper wearing a powdery white wig as he played the piano and sang the classic chorus: “You got what I got. need / but you say he’s just a friend / and you say he’s just a friend / oh baby you got what i need. “
The chorus, easy to sing along as it repeated itself and grew louder as Markie grew more passionate about her unlucky love life, won over rap fans and the mainstream alike as the genre still barged in. in the consciousness of the country.
He has released five solo studio albums during his career, most recently “Weekend Warrior” in 2003.
His genius personality and outgoing antics have earned him several television and film cameos, including “Men in Black II”, “Empire” and “Black-ish”.
The rapper had had health problems in recent years. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2011, but said in 2014 that he was changing his health and had lost 140 pounds since the diagnosis.
“I wanted to live,” Markie told ABC News at the time. “Since I must be diabetic, if I didn’t make the changes, it would make the diabetes worse. I’m trying to get out of it. [diabetes medications]. The way you need to do it is to lose weight. I haven’t taken half of my meds, I just have to stop the rest. “
“They said I could lose my feet,” he added. “They said I could lose body parts. A lot of things could happen.”
He had been married to his wife, Tara Davis, for 15 years. His wife had last posted to her Instagram on Father’s Day, sharing photos of Biz Markie with her children and writing: “As always, thank you for your kind messages, phone calls, video messages and prayers. love them and is always in to earn it. “
“He leaves behind a wife, many of his family and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes and frequent jokes,” his representative said in the statement. “We respectfully ask for the privacy of his family as they mourn their loved one.”
Morena Basteiro of ABC News contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link