Results: Biz Markie: Hip-Hop Jester, All-Around Entertainer

Rapper/beatboxer/DJ/actor/voice-over artist Biz Markie (born Marcell Hall) died at 57 years old in mid-July 2021. Though he didn't have many hits, he was able to ingratiate himself into other pockets of pop culture. Had you heard of Biz Markie before reading this survey?

Markie's most enduring cultural moment is arguably his biggest hit, 1989's "Just A Friend." When the vocalist scheduled to sing its chorus didn't show up in time to record that part, Markie took it over...in all his tone deaf glory. Though Markie plays up his lyrics up for more laughs in "Friend"'s video, its lyrics were born of a real romantic heartbreak he experienced. Have you been able to laugh off a break-up with someone you cared for?

For better and/or worse, Markie's eclectic musical taste led to a change in the way hip-hop music is recorded. He used a sample from Gilbert O'Sullivan's morose 1972 soft rocker "Alone Again (Naturally)" for 1991's "Alone Again"; BUT he did so without permission. O'Sullivan sued and won, thus initiating a precedent of often prohibitively costly sample clearances for music producers. If you enjoy hip-hop, do you prefer sample-based music or that featuring originally-created melodies, etc.?

After his solo recording career cooled, Markie kept plenty busy. He guested on recordings by The Beastie Boys and other acts and had a bit part in the movie Men In Black II. Perhaps most intriguingly, he became something of a children's entertainer. He had a part on SpongeBob SquarePants cartoons and a regular segment on kiddie cable show Yo Gabba Gabba. Can you think of anyone else who purposefully entertained kids after-or as a break from-performing for older folk?

The one time I saw Biz Markie, it was at a park where he mostly acted as a DJ (with a closing rendition of "Just a Friend"). I'd have liked to have heard him rap more, but it was still great fun. He seemed to have been the kind of person who engendered good will wherever he went and would have been enjoyable to hang out with. Do you think people can say the same sorts of things about you?