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Photo of Biz Markie in 1988

Biz Markie in 1988

Photo: David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

News
Remembering Rap Legend Biz Markie: 5 Iconic Songs biz-markie-dead-obituary-just-friend

Remembering Biz Markie: 5 Signature Songs From The Hip-Hop Legend

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Celebrate the life and legacy of Biz Markie through five of his signature songs, which collectively paint a portrait of the hip-hop legend and helped define an era of popular music
Rob LeDonne
GRAMMYs
Jul 17, 2021 - 4:37 pm

With earworm hooks, sing-along choruses and a campy style, Biz Markie had a unique style that set him apart from his hip-hop peers. The foundational artist died this week, at age 57, leaving behind a joyful void in the rap world.

The Queens, New York, native, formerly known as Bizzy B Markie, a moniker stemming from his birth name, Marcel, and shortened to Biz, rocketed to success via the Juice Crew collective. The monster of his legacy is the classic "Just a Friend," which hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1990 and cemented Biz Markie as a bona fide superstar. But aside from the ubiquitous sensation of his most successful single, his legacy includes an innovative and broad tapestry of hip-hop skills—rhyming, beatboxing and producing—as well as a contagious sense of humor that earned him a reputation as a "proudly goofy rapper" and the "Clown Prince of Hip-Hop" moniker.

To celebrate the life and legacy of Biz Markie, here are five of his signature songs that paint a portrait of the hip-hop legend and helped define an era of popular music.

"Just a Friend"

Released as part of his 1989 sophomore album The Biz Never Sleeps, "Just a Friend" immediately shot into the cultural zeitgeist, and it continues to stay there to this day, despite the ongoing evolutions in rap styles, tastes and generations. A lighthearted lyrical rumination of someone wondering if their lover is true, the track's opening salvo is a perfect example of the storytelling nature that defined '80s-era hip hop. "Have you ever met a girl that you tried to date," Markie asks as the song's famous piano loop kicks in. "But a year to make love she wanted you to wait?"

Borrowing lyrics, a melody and a piano hook from the 1968 Freddie Scott song "(You) Got What I Need," "Just a Friend," and its memorably campy music video, subsequently catapulted Biz Markie into the mainstream. "A lot of people didn't like the record at the beginning," he later explained in a 2019 interview, which celebrated the song's 30th anniversary. "They would say, 'Biz is trying to sing? Aw, the record is wack.' But I wasn't supposed to sing the [chorus]. I asked people to sing the part, and nobody showed up at the studio, so I did it myself."

"Vapors"

Before "Just a Friend" became Markie's signature song, he was known for a spate of successful tracks that helped introduce him to an underground audience. He chronicled his bubbling career, which was then just below the surface of the mainstream, in his 1988 track "Vapors," which peaked at No. 80 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Co-written with his cousin, the influential rap impresario and fellow Juice Crew member Big Daddy Kane, "Vapors" was a commentary on the nature of becoming a rising success.

"Biz had this whole concept of people catching the vapors," Kane said in 2014, referring to an inside joke about people suddenly wanting to be around Biz Markie as his notoriety grew. "He told me about the idea for the song and he wanted to talk about people catching the vapors. People that was frontin' at first and acting funny and all of a sudden they wanna be in your corner and be down with you."

"Gooey Gangsta"

Many marquee artists from the early hip-hop era commonly saw their star subsequently fade from relevance as musical tastes changed throughout the years. That wasn't the case for Biz Markie, who maintained a certain cache even as the decades went on, a legacy that has been bolstered by his stacked résumé of film and television appearances and synchs—whether starring in Sharknado 2: The Second One or landing his music on TV shows like "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' and "Empire." "Gooey Gangsta," which sees Biz Markie beatboxing, featured on the 2019 soundtrack for the animated TV series "Adventure Time," on which he voiced the character Snorlock the Beatboxing Slug; the track exemplifies his enduring appeal.

"Nobody Beats the Biz (Best Of)"

Featured on Biz Markie's 1988 debut album Goin' Off, "Nobody Beats the Biz (Best Of)," a takeoff of the then-popular ad slogan "Nobody Beats the Wiz," showcases the ragtag nature of early hip-hop as the song shines a light on the insult back-and-forth game known as the Dozens. Produced by hip-hop pioneer Marley Marl, the leader of Biz Markie's Juice Crew, both the album and song, the latter of which samples the Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle," defined late-'80s New York hip-hop culture, cemented Biz's lyrical style, and helped bolster his popularity. Biz Markie also gets political on the track, spitting, "​​Reagan is the Pres, but I voted for Shirley Chisholm," referring to the first major-party Black candidate to run for President of the United States.

"So Fresh"

For evidence of Biz Markie's influence on rap culture, look no further than the late-'90s prince of the genre Will Smith, whose 1999 sophomore solo smash Willenium features Biz on the track "So Fresh" alongside Slick Rick. Smith wasn't the only Biz Markie disciple: Everyone from Snoop Dogg, who covered "Vapors" in 1997, to Questlove of the Roots sang Biz's praises. "I'm using all the education he taught me," Questlove wrote of Biz Markie's indelible impact on his life and career in an Instagram post following the news of the rap legend's death. "We will miss him. But he will be here forever."

For The Record: A Tribe Called Quest's Groundbreaking The Low End Theory At 30

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Ty (C) at the 2004 Mercury Prize ceremony

Ty (C) at the 2004 Mercury Prize ceremony

Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

News
U.K. Rapper Ty Dies Of Coronavirus At 47 ty-uk-rapper-and-mercury-prize-nominee-dies-coronavirus-47

Ty, U.K. Rapper And Mercury Prize Nominee, Dies Of Coronavirus At 47

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The celebrated London-born artist received a nomination for the U.K.'s top music prize for his 2003 album, 'Upwards'
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
May 8, 2020 - 2:38 pm

Ty, a celebrated U.K. rapper who received a Mercury Prize nomination for his 2003 album, Upwards, died Thursday (May 7) due to complications from COVID-19. He was 47.

The artist, born Benedict Chijioke, had contracted the disease around March/April, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched last month (April 8) to help raise funds for him. His condition had been improving, according to a post on the campaign dated April 19, and he had been released from his intensive care unit and moved into a "normal ward." He then contracted pneumonia, which "worsened his recovery and ultimately Ty's body couldn't fight back anymore," the post reads. 

Prior to this episode, upon his initial admission to the hospital, Chijioke had been put into a medically induced coma to temporarily sedate him in order to help him recover. He was put on a ventilator after waking from the coma. 

"This is a shock to everyone," Diane Laidlaw, the organizer for the GoFundMe campaign and a close friend of Chijioke, wrote in a post announcing the rapper's death. "I actually have no words or clear way of thinking and hope this comes out correctly when I post it … The family would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has reached out and expressed their concern since he was admitted in hospital but right now they would value having their privacy, so they can mourn privately. They just need time to process."

Read: Resources for Music Creators & Professionals Affected By COVID-19: Asia, Europe & The U.K.

Born to Nigerian parents in London in 1972, Chijioke was known for his storytelling skills and sharp wit, with his music taking "a tangibly British take on the U.S. boom-bap style of hip-hop," The Guardian writes.

He released his debut album, Awkward, in 2001. But 2003's Upwards marked his breakthrough into the mainstream. In addition to peaking at No. 35 on the U.K. Independent Albums Chart in his homeland, Upwards received a nomination for the Mercury Prize, the coveted annual award celebrating "the best of U.K. music and the artists who produce it," according to the organization's website.

Chijioke would go on to release three additional albums, including Closer (2006), Special Kind Of Fool (2010) and A Work Of Heart (2018); his albums featured collaborations with American hip-hop artists like De La Soul and Speech of Arrested Development, as well as U.K. rappers and producers like Roots Manuva, Sway and others. 

In addition to his solo work, The Guardian reports, Chijioke was an artist associate of The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company, "a music theatre production company aimed at exploring the social, cultural and linguistic parallels between the works of William Shakespeare and that of modern day hip-hop artists," according to the organization's website. He also experimented with spoken word and was a founding member of the U.K. hip-hop supergroup Kingdem, alongside rappers Blak Twang and Rodney P.

Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund

Pop Smoke

Pop Smoke

Photo:  Johnny Nunez/WireImage

News
Brooklyn Rapper Pop Smoke Dies At 20 brooklyn-rapper-pop-smoke-dies-20

Brooklyn Rapper Pop Smoke Dies At 20

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The rising rapper had previously collaborated with Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj and Skepta, among many others
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Feb 19, 2020 - 9:39 am

Pop Smoke, a rising rapper from Brooklyn, died today (Feb. 19). He was 20.

The rapper, born Bashar Barakah Jackson, was shot and killed early this morning in Los Angeles during a home invasion, a representative from the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Rolling Stone.

Jackson was staying in a home in the Hollywood Hills when a pair of two masked men broke into the house and fatally shot the rapper, according to reports. He was transferred to a nearby hospital in West Hollywood where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. 

The suspects have not been caught and remain unidentified, according to reports.

Read: Chicago Rapper Juice WRLD Dies At 21

Born in 1999, Jackson was a fast-rising star in the hip-hop world. He broke into the mainstream in 2019 via his breakout track "Welcome To The Party," the lead single off his debut mixtape, Meet The Woo, which was released later that year. He later released two official remixes of the track featuring Nicki Minaj and U.K. grime rapper Skepta.

Most recently, Jackson released the sequel to his inaugural mixtape, Meet The Woo 2, earlier this month (Feb. 7) on Victor Victor Worldwide/Republic Records. The mixtape, which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, featured collaborations with Migos rapper Quavo, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Lil Tjay and others. 

Jackson also featured on JackBoys, the 2019 compilation album from Travis Scott and his Cactus Jack Records roster, and collaborated with artists like Charlie Sloth, Calboy and H.E.R., among others. 

Following the news of Jackson's death, fellow artists from the larger hip-hop and R&B community commemorated the late rapper.

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https://twitter.com/Bas/status/1230146946376990720

Damn this so shit fuckin wack. You made the whole city proud. RIP Pop Smoke

— Bas (@Bas) February 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/JoellOrtiz/status/1230145964469608448

Sad man. Just sad.. RIP Pop Smoke

— Joell Ortiz (@JoellOrtiz) February 19, 2020

Popa Wu, Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate and Mentor, Dies at 63

Popa Wu - Wu-Tang Clan

Popa Wu performs in New York City in 2017

Photo: Al Pereira/Getty Images

News
Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate Popa Wu Dies at 63 popa-wu-wu-tang-clan-affiliate-and-mentor-dies-63

Popa Wu, Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate and Mentor, Dies at 63

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Considered the group's longtime "spiritual mentor," Popa Wu featured on numerous Wu-Tang Clan tracks
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Dec 17, 2019 - 2:09 pm

Popa Wu, a longtime affiliate of and mentor to legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, died Dec. 16. He was 63.

Details regarding his cause of death have yet to be released, although reports have confirmed he died in his Brooklyn, N.Y., home.

Reports of Popa Wu's death hit the internet earlier this week when various members and associates of Wu-Tang Clan, as well as other artists and representatives from the wider hip-hop community, began posting tributes to him on social media. Wu-Tang member U-God wrote on Twitter, "RIP to the one and only PAPA WU our sincerest condolences go out to the entire family," while DJ/rapper Pete Rock, who's produced for various Wu-Tang members, lamented, "the angels got you."

https://twitter.com/Ugodofwutang/status/1206619891178115072

RIP to the one and only PAPA WU our sincerest condolences go out to the entire family 🙏🏽👐🏾🙏🏽👐🏾🙏🏽👐🏾🙏🏽 #wutang #wutangclan Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon & U-God & Popa Wu - Black Jesus https://t.co/QDJA1UQrQz via @YouTube

— U-GOD / WU-TANG (@Ugodofwutang) December 16, 2019

Popa Wu, who also went by Freedum Allah, was largely considered a "spiritual mentor" to Wu-Tang Clan. He was a staunch supporter of the Five-Percent Nation, a cultural movement and an offshoot of the Nation of Islam rooted in 1960s America, and preached its philosophies and beliefs on several Wu-Tang Clan songs.

Read: Inside An American Hip-Hop Saga: The Wu-Tang Clan Story Enters A New Chapter

While never an official member of Wu-Tang Clan, Popa Wu was involved in the group's original formation in the early '90s. In addition to being the father of Wu-Tang-affiliated rappers ShaCronz and Free Murda, Popa Wu was also a cousin of the band's de facto leader, RZA, and was related to original members GZA and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.

Popa Wu's credits alongside Wu-Tang Clan and its various members include: "Wu-Revolution," the opening track of the group's 1997 GRAMMY-nominated (Best Rap Album) double album, Wu-Tang Forever; "Black Jesus" and "All That I Got Is You" from Ghostface Killah; and "North Star" from Raekwon. Popa Wu was also behind a two-part compilation series comprising a number of tracks from various Wu-Tang Clan members and associated artists: Visions Of The 10th Chamber in 2000 and the coinciding Visions Of The 10th Chamber Part II in 2008.

Most recently, Popa Wu appeared in the newly launched Hulu web TV miniseries "Wu-Tang: An American Saga," which is based on the early years and formation of Wu-Tang Clan.

Following the news of Popa Wu's death, members of Wu-Tang Clan and the larger hip-hop community commemorated his legacy and his influence on the scene.

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https://twitter.com/RAtheRuggedMan/status/1206609244327436288

RIP Popa Wu !!! Wings Up !!

— R.A. the Rugged Man (@RAtheRuggedMan) December 16, 2019

https://twitter.com/REALDJPREMIER/status/1206626755953516546

R.I.P. ETERNALLY TO THE GOD PAPA WU 🙏🏾💜💛

— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) December 16, 2019

Wu-Tang Clan Are Making History At Nashville's Ryman Auditorium

Juice WRLD

Juice WRLD performs at the 2019 Rolling Loud Music Festival

Photo: Steve Jennings/Getty Images

News
Chicago Rapper Juice WRLD Dies At 21 chicago-rapper-juice-wrld-dies-21

Chicago Rapper Juice WRLD Dies At 21

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The breakout rap star suffered cardiac arrest at Chicago's Midway International Airport
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Dec 8, 2019 - 1:46 pm

Juice WRLD, the breakout chart-topping, platinum-selling Chicago rapper, has died today (Dec. 8). He was 21 years old.

According to various confirmed reports, the rising rapper, born Jarad Anthony Higgins, suffered cardiac arrest at Chicago's Midway International Airport earlier today. He was rushed to nearby Advocate Christ Medical Center in "extremely critical condition" where he was reportedly pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

No cause of death has been revealed, but there are "no signs of foul play," according to Chicago Police Department spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, adding, "Whether this is a narcotics issue or not is yet to be determined."

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 9, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, which oversees the region. Chicago police are currently conducting a death investigation.

Watch: Remembering Nipsey Hussle

Higgins, who recently celebrated his 21st birthday last week on Dec. 2, was one of the most promising voices to come out of the so-called "SoundCloud rap" era. Best known for his breakout tracks "Lucid Dreams" (2017) and "All Girls Are the Same" (2018), Higgins released his platinum-certified debut album, Goodbye & Good Riddance, in 2018. His second artist album, Death Race For Love, released this past March, topped the Billboard 200 chart.

After joining Nicki Minaj on the European leg of her 2019 The Nicki Wrld Tour, Juice WRLD launched his A Death Race For Love headlining tour this past April, followed by a headlining performance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in September. He recently collaborated with K-pop stars BTS on "All Night" this past June.

Following news of Juice WRLD's death, fellow musicians and artists, including The Weeknd, Zedd and Lil Nas X, shared their condolences on social media.

https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1203723276054220801

rip juice. so sad how often this is happening lately to young talented rising artists. 🖤

— obamas cousin (@LilNasX) December 8, 2019

https://twitter.com/Zedd/status/1203702272288378882

really shocked and sad to find out juice wrld passed away, ... and so young too...
a reminder that life can be over any moment...
be kind to one another.

— Zedd (@Zedd) December 8, 2019

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1203781338785931265

rip JUICE WRLD 💔

— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) December 8, 2019

How Nipsey Hussle Transcended Hip-Hop, Starting In The Los Angeles Streets

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy and its Affiliates. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy and its Affiliates lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy and its Affiliates.