Till we meet again: Just A Friend rapper Biz Markie dies at 57
- Biz Markie died on Friday, July 16, and his demise was confirmed by his manager Izumi
- Biz had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in his late 40s and revealed that he lost 140 pounds in the years that followed
- His death broke the hearts of his worldwide fans who took to different social media platforms to mourn him
Fans of Marcel Theo Hall, alias Biz Markie are in mourning following the demise of the larger-than-life hip-hop star.
Source: UGC
YEN.com.gh has learnt Biz, popularly known for his hit song Just A Friend died on Friday, July 16, at 57.
NY Times in its report noted that Biz had reportedly been ill for months.
His untimely demise was confirmed by his manager, Jenni Izumi but he did not provide an official cause of death.
"We are grateful for the many calls and prayers of support that we have received during this difficult time. Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years." Izumi told the press via email.
Biz was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
YEN.com.gh understands Biz had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in his late 40s and revealed that he lost 140 pounds in the years that followed.
“I wanted to live,” Biz told ABC News in 2014.
News of his demise broke the hearts of his worldwide fans who took to different social media platforms to mourn him.
Biz Markie started as a teenage beatboxer and freestyle rapper.
He later made a name for himself as the resident court jester of the Queensbridge-based collective the Juice Crew and its Cold Chillin’ label, under the tutelage of the influential radio D.J. Mr Magic.
Known widely for a career spanning back to 1986, Biz went on to become a beloved cultural figure later in life, celebrated for his spirited personality as much as his massive 1989 hit, "Just A Friend."
Source: YEN.com.gh
Edwin Lamptey Edwin’s goal is to drive YEN’s entertainment desk to become the go-to location for authentic entertainment news in Ghana and the reference point for viral foreign entertainment news. He will seek to entertain and say it as it is! He holds a degree in English, History and Religion and Human Values from the University of Cape Coast.
Aba Afful (Copyeditor) Maame Aba serves as a copy editor at YEN.com.gh. She naturally enjoys working with words and has an eye for quality content. She has a keen interest in cyberspace and wants to see YEN.com.gh produce more impactful, thought-provoking, and error-free content. Aba has five years of experience as a content writer, blogger, author, and proofreader. She graduated from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 2017. She joined the team in 2021.
