It’s been a few years now, but honestly, the world still feels a little less loud without Biz Markie. If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, or even if you just have a pulse and an appreciation for karaoke, you know "Just a Friend." It’s that anthem for the broken-hearted that somehow makes everyone in the room smile. But when the news broke that we’d lost him, it wasn't just a headline. It felt like losing that one uncle who always brought the fun to the cookout.
So, let's get into the specifics of when did Biz Markie die and the health battles that ultimately took one of the most unique voices in music history.
The Timeline: When Did Biz Markie Die?
Biz Markie, born Marcel Theo Hall, passed away on July 16, 2021. He was only 57 years old.
He died in a Baltimore hospital at approximately 6:25 PM. His wife, Tara Hall, was by his side. It wasn't a sudden, out-of-the-blue tragedy, though. Biz had been fighting for his life for over a year.
Rumors had actually started swirling weeks before his actual death. In late June 2021, the internet did that thing it does where it prematurely mourned him. His representatives had to come out and clarify that while he was still under medical care, he was very much still with us. Sadly, that reprieve only lasted a few weeks.
What was the cause of death?
The official cause was complications from Type 2 diabetes.
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Biz had been very open about his diagnosis, which happened back in 2010. He didn't just ignore it, either. In 2013 and 2014, he made huge headlines for losing about 140 pounds. He went from 385 pounds down to 244. He told ABC News at the time, "I wanted to live." He was terrified of the doctors telling him they might have to amputate his feet.
But diabetes is a beast. Despite the weight loss, the damage to his system was severe. In April 2020, he was hospitalized for complications related to the disease. Later that year, reports surfaced that he had suffered a stroke after falling into a diabetic coma. He spent months in a rehabilitation facility trying to recover, but his body just couldn't bounce back from the series of hits it took.
Why We Called Him the "Clown Prince"
You can’t talk about when Biz Markie died without talking about why people cared so much. Hip hop in the late 80s and early 90s was getting serious. It was the era of Public Enemy and N.W.A. It was political, it was gritty, and it was often heavy.
Then there was Biz.
He was the guy rapping about picking boogers or having bad breath. He would beatbox with his mouth full of food. He wore 18th-century Mozart wigs in his music videos. He was "diabolical," but in the friendliest way possible.
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The Juice Crew and the Early Days
Biz didn't just appear out of nowhere with a hit. He was a foundational member of Marley Marl's Juice Crew. He was the bridge between the old school and the golden age. Think about this: Biz is the guy who discovered Big Daddy Kane. He brought Kane in to help him write rhymes, and in exchange, he gave Kane a platform.
He was a master of "human beatboxing." Before there were complex digital loop stations, there was just Biz and a microphone. He could mimic an entire drum kit while humming a melody. It was pure, raw talent hidden behind a goofy grin.
The Landmark Lawsuit That Changed Music
A lot of people forget that Biz Markie is the reason music sounds the way it does today—legally speaking. In 1991, he was sued by Gilbert O'Sullivan because Biz sampled the song "Alone Again (Naturally)" for his track on the album I Need a Haircut.
The case, Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records Inc., changed everything. The judge ruled that sampling without permission was essentially theft. Before this, hip hop was a Wild West of sampling. After this? Every single beep and boop had to be cleared by lawyers.
It was a massive blow to Biz's career at the time. But he didn't let it sour him. He named his next album All Samples Cleared! because that’s just who he was. He took the hit and kept moving.
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His Second Act: From Hip Hop to Yo Gabba Gabba!
What made the news of when Biz Markie died so hard for younger generations was that they knew him too. He didn't just fade into "where are they now" territory.
He became a staple on the Nickelodeon show Yo Gabba Gabba! with his segment "Biz’s Beat of the Day." He was teaching four-year-olds how to beatbox. He was in Men in Black II as an alien (who beatboxed, obviously). He was a DJ for some of the biggest parties in Hollywood.
He managed to stay relevant for 35 years without ever becoming a "legacy act" that felt dusty. He was just Biz.
The Final Send-Off
His funeral was held in Patchogue, Long Island, on August 2, 2021. It was a who’s who of hip hop royalty. LL Cool J, Fat Joe, Ice-T, and Big Daddy Kane were all there. The Reverend Al Sharpton gave the eulogy.
It wasn't just a somber affair, though. It was a celebration. People told stories about his massive toy collection and his love for sneakers. They talked about how he would call friends just to tell a joke and then hang up.
What You Can Do to Keep the Legacy Alive
Biz Markie’s death was a reminder that health, especially for those in the black community and those living with Type 2 diabetes, is something that requires constant vigilance. If you want to honor him, there are a few practical ways to do it:
- Support the Just a Friend Foundation: His wife, Tara Hall, launched this foundation to support children in the foster care system—a cause close to Biz's heart since he spent time in foster care as a kid.
- Get Screened: If you have a family history of diabetes, don't wait for symptoms. Biz's story shows that even with significant lifestyle changes later in life, the early damage can be hard to undo.
- Watch the Documentary: Check out All Up in the Biz (2023) directed by Sacha Jenkins. It uses puppets, animation, and real interviews to tell his story in a way that feels as creative as he was.
- Listen Beyond the Hit: Dig into Goin' Off or The Biz Never Sleeps. Listen to his beatbox routines from the 80s. Realize that the "clown" was actually a genius.
Biz Markie died on July 16, 2021, but honestly, as long as there’s a wedding DJ somewhere playing that off-key chorus of "Just a Friend," he's still right here.