Marcel Theo Hall, better known by his stage name Biz Markie, is an American rapper, singer, DJ, record producer, actor, comedian, and writer. He is also the artist for his timeless hip-hop single, Just a Friend, which hit Top 40 in several countries.
He was born on 8 April 1964 in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, USA. He grew up in his birth town with his five siblings. Markie first gained recognition as he performed in New York nightclubs and some colleges in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Recently, a certain rumor spread like wildfire about Biz Markie on the internet, and it seems to be just a false rumor. Learn more about him here!
Biz Markie’s Family Gives A Statement On His Death Rumors
The rapper Biz Markie still seems to be alive and well receiving all-around medical care after his rep claimed his death rumors on the internet to be false.
The news comes after Biz was reported to be “in a hospice with significant brain damage” following a stroke.
Biz’s family smashed down the rumors telling Rolling Stone: “The news of Biz Markie’s passing is not true. Biz is still under care, surrounded by professionals who are working hard to provide the best healthcare possible. Biz’s wife and family are touched by the outpouring of love and admiration from his friends, peers and fans alike. At this time, we ask for your continued thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Reporter Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson also tweeted to quash rumors Biz had died – but added he has “significant brain damage.”
Roland Martin also updated the rapper’s condition on Twitter: “Folks, @BizMarkie has NOT died. I have been in contact with sources who are texting and talking to his wife. My source talked to Biz TODAY. Per his wife, Biz HAS NOT passed away. Please stop responding to non-credible sources. This hurts the family friends and fans.”
Biz was reportedly struggling with his health as he was hospitalized twice last year due to complications with Type II Diabetes. Although the first time around, he was already in quite the struggling health conditions, it became severe during the second time, in December 2020, when the outlets first reported that Biz suffered from a stroke while he was hospitalized. It was also reported that “the stroke affected his brain,” making it difficult for him to communicate but later said to be recovering well from it.
However, he again has been hit with the same health issue related to the previous ones, and it may be hard for him to make a complete recovery this time as his surrounding shows some serious concern.
Net Worth Of Biz Markie And His Career
Biz Markie has endeavored the music industry with his skills and talents in doing and performing his works. According to CelebrityNetWorth, he has an estimated net worth of $3 million which is accumulated through his efforts in his professional career.
Biz’s came into prominence in the early 1980s, when he began rapping at nightclubs. He then met producer Marley Marl in 1985 and began working as a human beatbox for Marl-connected acts MC Shan and, later, Roxanne Shante. He released his debut album, Goin’ Off, in 1988, which attracted a fair amount of attention, with the underground hit singles Vapors, Pickin’ Boogers, and Make the Music With Your Mouth.
Markie released his second studio album, The Biz Never Sleeps, in October 1989, on Cold Chillin’/Warner Bros. Records, which included his most successful single, Just a Friend, that reached No. 9 on the Billboard charts.
But he was later hit by a disgrace on his third album, I Need a Haircut, when the album’s Alone Again gave him a lawsuit from Gilbert O’Sullivan, who claimed the single to be an unauthorized sample of his hit Alone Again (Naturally). Gilbert won the ruling, and Markie’s career was hurt in the process.
For the remainder of the decade, he kept a low profile, occasionally appearing as a guest on records by the Beastie Boys and filming a freestyle television commercial for MTV2 in 1996. Biz also began DJing during the process.
Some of his singles include Spring Again, What Comes Around Goes Around, Let Me Turn You On, Young Girl Bluez, Just Rhymin’, Nobody, Let Me See You Bounce, Friends, and much more. He also featured himself as a rapper several times.
In addition to his music career, Markie saw himself taking some acting appearance in Robert Townsend’s film Meteor Man and in a Townsend television series as well as in the movie Men in Black II.
Moreover, he did not only settle releasing studio albums but also went on some tours and concerts. As per concertarchieves.org, he has had 81 concerts as of 2021. But as it is now, we may not be able to see more of his career works since, as per a recent news update, Markie’s health appears to be worsening.
Is Biz Markie Married?
Biz Markie is a married man who has tied the knot with Tara Markie. This revelation came after several speculations and rumors surrounded Biz and later confirmed by him.
Biz Markie with his wife, Tara Markie, and their daughter, Averi (©:Instagram/Tara Davis)
In September 2019, Biz proved that he had been together with a woman for a long time, sharing a picture of his wife on his Instagram. But it was not all enough to convince the public, as he tweeted in October 2019 with a throwback picture of his wife on Twitter. He mentioned in the tweet that he has been with his wife for fifteen years and asked to follow her as well at the time.
Likely, he has posted several pictures of his wife on social media ever since, including a birthday wish addressed to her in April. He captioned the picture: “I want everyone to wish my lovely wife Tara a Happy Birthday.”
He also uploaded a selfie of the two of them, to which he wrote the caption: “IM IN THE HOUSE WITH MY PARTNER IN LIFE SHES MAKING SURE IM SANITIZED EVERYONE STAY SANITIZED AND SAFE PLEASE STAY IN THE HOUSE!!!”
Tara is tagged in several of Biz’s pictures as @taradise_25, where she posts pictures of herself, friends, and her daughter Averi.