You probably know Biz Markie for "Just a Friend." That 1989 anthem is basically the universal song for karaoke heartbreak. But if you’re a sci-fi nerd or a hip-hop head, you remember him for something way weirder.
Back in 2002, the world got Men in Black II. It was the summer of big sequels, and expectations were honestly through the roof. Most people talk about the Michael Jackson cameo where he plays an undercover agent begging for a promotion. It was funny, sure. But the real scene-stealer wasn't the King of Pop.
It was an alien working at a post office.
Who was Biz Markie in Men in Black II?
Actually, let’s be specific. He didn't just play "an alien." He played an Alien Beatboxer working in a tiny, cramped mailroom. If you haven't seen the movie in a decade, the setup is pretty simple. Agent J (Will Smith) is trying to track down his old partner, Kevin Brown (Agent K), played by the ever-grumpy Tommy Lee Jones.
K has been neuralyzed. He thinks he’s just a regular guy working as a postmaster in Truro, Massachusetts. He has no idea that half his staff are intergalactic refugees.
J walks in to snap K out of it. To prove that the world is weirder than K thinks, J walks up to one of the employees—a guy who looks exactly like the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop"—and starts making weird noises.
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The Post Office Beatbox Battle
This is where the magic happens. Biz Markie is just standing there, looking like a regular postal worker in a blue uniform. Then Will Smith starts beatboxing.
It’s a specific routine, too. Smith actually reprises a bit he used to do on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and as part of his old duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff. It’s a nod to Doug E. Fresh, the human beatbox. Biz doesn't just stand there; he hits back. Hard.
The "alien" language for this specific species isn't words or clicks. It’s pure rhythm. Biz delivers this incredibly crisp, heavy-hitting beatbox sequence that completely throws Tommy Lee Jones’ character for a loop.
J looks at K and basically says, "See? He’s an alien."
It’s one of those blink-and-you-miss-it moments that grounds the movie in actual hip-hop culture. Honestly, seeing Biz Markie in Men in Black II was like a secret handshake for fans of the Golden Age of Rap.
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Why the Biz Markie Cameo Worked
Director Barry Sonnenfeld had a knack for casting "people who looked like they might be from another planet." He did it in the first movie with Newt Gingrich and Sylvester Stallone appearing on the MIB monitors.
But Biz was different. He wasn't just a face on a screen. He was a presence.
- Authenticity: Biz was a legitimate master of the craft. Most actors would have looked ridiculous trying to mimic those sounds.
- The Chemistry: Will Smith and Biz Markie already had a history in the industry. The back-and-forth felt natural because it was natural.
- The Joke: The idea that an alien language is just 808 kicks and hi-hats is objectively hilarious.
Critics at the time were somewhat lukewarm on the sequel as a whole. They felt it leaned too hard on the tropes of the first one. Maybe they were right. But you can't deny the charm of the post office scene. It’s the highlight of the first act.
The Legacy of the Beatboxing Alien
Biz Markie passed away in 2021 at the age of 57. When the news broke, social media wasn't just filled with "Just a Friend" clips. It was filled with that post office scene.
For a lot of kids in the early 2000s, this was their introduction to Biz. They didn't know about the Juice Crew or the Marley Marl era. They just knew the funny guy who could make music with his mouth.
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Interestingly, Biz also did a voice for Adventure Time as Snorlock the Beatboxing Slug. He clearly leaned into the "rhythmic alien" niche late in his career. It suited him. He had this approachable, joyful energy that felt like it belonged in a more colorful world.
What You Might Have Missed
If you watch the scene again, keep an eye on Tommy Lee Jones. His reaction isn't just "Agent K being annoyed." It’s the reaction of a man who is genuinely confused by the sheer talent happening in front of him.
The sound editing in that scene is also top-tier. They layered Biz’s natural sounds with just enough reverb to make it feel "outer space," but kept the core of his technique intact.
Biz Markie in Men in Black wasn't just a cameo; it was a bridge between the old school and the new millennium. It’s a small, perfect reminder of why he was so beloved. He could walk into a $140 million blockbuster, play a guy in a post office, and still be the coolest person on screen.
To really appreciate the craft, go back and watch the behind-the-scenes footage or the Fresh Prince episodes where Will Smith does the original routine. You'll see how much work went into making a 30-second joke feel that polished.
Search for the "MIB II Post Office Scene" on YouTube. Watch it twice. Once for the comedy, and once just to listen to the percussion. Biz was a legend for a reason.
Practical Next Steps
- Revisit the Clip: Look for the "Agent J beatbox" scene on digital platforms to see the specific technical differences between Will Smith’s style and Biz’s heavier, "wet" beatbox style.
- Check the Soundtrack: While Biz isn't on the official MIB II score, he did a remix of Mario’s "Just a Friend 2002" around the same time the movie launched—it’s a great time capsule of that era.
- Explore the Documentary: If you want the full story of his life, find the documentary All Up in the Biz. It provides much more context on his transition from New York clubs to Hollywood sets.