Biz Markie dead at 57

Biz Markie died at the age of 57.

A source close to the family tells TMZ that the legendary rapper died at 6:25 p.m. on Friday evening (July 16) in a Baltimore hospital. According to reports, his wife, Tara Hall, was holding his hand as he took his last breath.

Biz, née Marcel Hall, had been in hospice care and dealing with health complications for the past several years. He suffered a stroke in late 2020 when he was hospitalized for complications with type 2 diabetes.

There were premature reports of his death late last month which sparked a reaction from his family and friends, including Big Daddy Kane. “Please keep my brother in your prayers,” said the hip-hop legend at the time. “Yes, he has serious health problems, but he is still alive and his wife wants you all to respect his privacy.”

The Harlem-born rapper, nicknamed the “Clown Prince of Hip-Hop”, was best known for his hit single “Just a Friend” from his 1989 album The business never sleeps. The song reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went platinum.

After his death, the hip hop community took to social media to mourn the loss.