Biz Markie

Biz Markie, born Marcel Theo Hall on April 8, 1964, was an American rapper and singer. He gained popularity with his 1989 single 'Just a Friend', which became a Top 40 hit in multiple countries. Markie, often known as the 'Clown Prince of Hip Hop', was born in Manhattan and raised in Brentwood and Patchogue on Long Island. He attended Longwood High School and began his career performing in New York City nightclubs. Markie's talent and unique style earned him regional recognition, particularly in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania areas where he performed at colleges. Markie's contributions to hip-hop music and his memorable single cemented his place in the genre's history.