Biz Markie

Biz Markie (born Marcel Hall April 8, 1964 in Harlem, New York) is an African American East Coast hip hop artist best known for humorous singles like "Just a Friend".

Markie's career began in the ear

Biz Markie (born Marcel Hall April 8, 1964 in Harlem, New York) is an African American East Coast hip hop artist best known for humorous singles like "Just a Friend".

Markie's career began in the early 1980s as a performer, then a human beatbox for MC Shan and Roxanne Shante, among others. He signed to the Cold Chillin' record label in 1988 (see 1988 in music) and released Goin' Off, an underground hit. "Just a Friend" (from The Biz Never Sleeps) was released the following year, and it became a mainstream hit in the United States.