Biz Markie: 1964-2021 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 07-16-2021, 08:11 PM

'Just a Friend' Rapper Biz Markie Dead at 57

Rapper Biz Markie -- most famous for his iconic hit "Just a Friend" -- has died after a series of complications from diabetes that he's been fighting for more than a year ... TMZ has confirmed.

A family source tells us Biz passed away in a Baltimore hospital at 6:25 PM Friday night. We're told his wife, Tara Hall, held his hand as he took his last breath ... and the nursing staff was there to support his family, telling them how strong he was through his fight.

TMZ broke the story, Biz was hospitalized last summer for an ailment his rep told us was related to his Type II Diabetes. At the time, the rep said, "He is receiving the best care from an amazing team of medical professionals and we remain positive about the outcome."

However, his condition remained somewhat of a mystery until April when Big Daddy Kane made an appearance on The Breakfast Club, telling the show's hosts Biz was doing better, and in a physical rehab facility.

Throughout his hospital stay, rumors swirled Biz was in a coma, but our source says that was never the case.

Born in Harlem, Biz first made a name for himself, nationally and internationally, in 1989 when his single "Just a Friend" became a Top 40 hit in multiple countries and went platinum.

The rapper's career took off after that ... he acted, did comedy, DJ'd and produced music.

The last time we got Biz was at Reagan National Airport in DC where he joked about the unique way he paid off a debt to 50 Cent.

Biz was just 57 years old.

RIP

AKA · 07-16-2021, 08:12 PM

AKA · 07-16-2021, 08:13 PM

AKA · 07-16-2021, 08:18 PM

This still cracks me up:

Wawwie · 07-16-2021, 08:19 PM

When I was in high school back in the 80s, there was this boy who every day would sing Biz Markie's "Just A Friend" to me on the school bus.

RIP, Biz Markie. He was only 8 years older than me.

AKA · 07-16-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

When I was in high school back in the 80s, there was this boy who every day would sing Biz Markie's "Just A Friend" to me on the school bus.

RIP, Biz Markie. He was only 8 years older than me.

Wawwie · 07-16-2021, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

I really loved his silly song "Just A Friend." "Oh, baby, you got what I need... but you say he's just a friend, you say he's just a friend... oh baby, you..." Every day, that boy from the school bus would sing that to me.

1989, the 12th grade!

DJM77 · 07-16-2021, 08:28 PM

I'm sad to read this. I used to listen to Biz Markie quite a bit.

DJM77 · 07-16-2021, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

This still cracks me up:

I have that on my phone. Years ago I had that playing in my car when a couple of friends were with me and they both started laughing like crazy!

AKA · 07-16-2021, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

I really loved his silly song "Just A Friend." "Oh, baby, you got what I need... but you say he's just a friend, you say he's just a friend... oh baby, you..." Every day, that boy from the school bus would sing that to me.

1989, the 12th grade!

I had no idea until about ten years ago Biz’s song was a cover. More or less, anyway.

AKA · 07-16-2021, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

I have that on my phone. Years ago I had that playing in my car when a couple of friends were with me and they both started laughing like crazy!

It’s on the Beastie Boys’ first best-of compilation. When I first bought it back in 1999, and that track started, I had no idea for a few seconds what I was hearing. Then I realized it was Biz and started laughing. Elton’s lyrics in the original are unintelligible and Biz has fun with it.

DJM77 · 07-16-2021, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

It’s on the Beastie Boys’ first best-of compilation.

Yeah, that's how I first heard it.

Hawkee · 07-17-2021, 02:43 AM

Biz Markie also does a really awesome cover of That's The Way I Like It with Spin Doctors from the Space Jam soundtrack and I knew very little about Biz Markie until I heard this song. And if memory serves correctly Biz Markie appeared in commercials for Pepto Bismol. Some of his other songs included Going Off and Vapors
Bestie

Wawwie · 07-17-2021, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

I had no idea until about ten years ago Biz’s song was a cover. More or less, anyway.

No, it's not really a cover. It's called "samplin'"! I like this version a lot. The very beginning is just like Biz Markie's "Just A Friend."

AKA · 07-17-2021, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

No, it's not really a cover. It's called "samplin'"! I like this version a lot. The very beginning is just like Biz Markie's "Just A Friend."

I almost used the word “sample,” but I didn’t think it applied because he didn’t use the original recording.

07-16-2021, 08:11 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Biz Markie: 1964-2021 'Just a Friend' Rapper Biz Markie Dead at 57 Rapper Biz Markie -- most famous for his iconic hit "Just a Friend" -- has died after a series of complications from diabetes that he's been fighting for more than a year ... TMZ has confirmed. A family source tells us Biz passed away in a Baltimore hospital at 6:25 PM Friday night. We're told his wife, Tara Hall, held his hand as he took his last breath ... and the nursing staff was there to support his family, telling them how strong he was through his fight. TMZ broke the story, Biz was hospitalized last summer for an ailment his rep told us was related to his Type II Diabetes. At the time, the rep said, "He is receiving the best care from an amazing team of medical professionals and we remain positive about the outcome." However, his condition remained somewhat of a mystery until April when Big Daddy Kane made an appearance on The Breakfast Club, telling the show's hosts Biz was doing better, and in a physical rehab facility. Throughout his hospital stay, rumors swirled Biz was in a coma, but our source says that was never the case. Born in Harlem, Biz first made a name for himself, nationally and internationally, in 1989 when his single "Just a Friend" became a Top 40 hit in multiple countries and went platinum. The rapper's career took off after that ... he acted, did comedy, DJ'd and produced music. The last time we got Biz was at Reagan National Airport in DC where he joked about the unique way he paid off a debt to 50 Cent. Biz was just 57 years old. RIP

07-16-2021, 08:28 PM	#8
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,559	I'm sad to read this. I used to listen to Biz Markie quite a bit.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

07-17-2021, 02:43 AM	#13
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,771	Biz Markie also does a really awesome cover of That's The Way I Like It with Spin Doctors from the Space Jam soundtrack and I knew very little about Biz Markie until I heard this song. And if memory serves correctly Biz Markie appeared in commercials for Pepto Bismol. Some of his other songs included Going Off and Vapors Bestie
	__________________ Hawkee and Aguilar, Hoping to be a great team

07-16-2021, 08:12 PM	#2
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746

07-16-2021, 08:13 PM	#3
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746

07-16-2021, 08:18 PM	#4
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	This still cracks me up:

07-16-2021, 08:19 PM	#5
Wawwie Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 26, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 14,376	When I was in high school back in the 80s, there was this boy who every day would sing Biz Markie's "Just A Friend" to me on the school bus. RIP, Biz Markie. He was only 8 years older than me.