On this day in Hip Hop history, Marcel Theo Hall — better known to the world as Biz Markie — was born. Hailing from Harlem, New York, Biz began making noise in the culture at just 14 years old, captivating crowds with his signature offbeat rhymes and unmatched charisma. From his early days beatboxing for Roxanne Shanté to rocking Grammy Awards afterparties as a headliner, Biz carved out a one-of-a-kind lane in hip-hop that crossed over into all corners of entertainment. Whether behind the turntables, in front of the camera, or rocking the mic, he remained a staple on stages worldwide, consistently averaging over 175 shows a year.
Spanning four decades, Biz Markie’s career cemented his legacy as one of the most iconic and beloved rapper/DJs in the game. His 1988 debut album Goin’ Off put him on the map, landing at No. 90 on the Billboard 200, but it was his 1989 follow-up The Biz Never Sleeps that made him a household name. That project birthed the unforgettable hit “Just a Friend,” a track that not only defined an era but continues to echo through pop culture to this day.
Throughout the 1990s, Biz Markie held firm as a cultural staple, continuing to push boundaries while staying true to his unique style. His third album, I Need A Haircut, unexpectedly reshaped the music industry. The album’s final track, “Alone Again,” sampled Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Alone Again (Naturally)” without proper clearance from Warner Bros. Records. The resulting lawsuit set a major legal precedent, with the courts ruling that all samples had to be cleared by the rights holders before use. The landmark case led Biz to title his next album All Samples Cleared!—a witty nod to the moment that changed hip-hop’s legal landscape.
As the 2000s rolled in, Biz Markie remained as relevant as ever. In 2002, he made his big screen debut with a cameo in Men in Black II, showcasing his beatboxing talents alongside Will Smith. That appearance opened the door to even more roles across television and video games, including Nick Cannon’s Wild ’N Out and the Grand Theft Auto franchise. His larger-than-life presence kept him visible and beloved in the public eye.
During this time, Biz also expanded his impact by stepping into children’s education. He became a fan favorite on the Nick Jr. series Yo Gabba Gabba!, where he helped teach kids about music, rhythm, and creativity. Using entertainment as a tool, The Biz introduced a new generation to the joy of artistic expression—all while staying true to the fun-loving spirit that made him a hip-hop legend.
Biz lost his battle with diabetes in the summer of 2021. He was 57 years old. Even though he is gone physically, the music and legacy of the human orchestra will live on forever!