View source for Biz Markie

{{Bio}}
{{Person
|name = Biz Markie
|first-name = Biz
|last-name = Markie
|image = Biz Markie.jpg
|birth = Marcel Theo Hall<br>{{Time|April 8}}, {{Time|1964}}<br>Harlem, New York, U.S.
|death = {{Time|July 16}}, {{Time|2021}}<br>(aged 57)<br>Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
|deceased-cast = yes
|credits = Voice actor
|gender = Male
|portrays = {{Link|Kenny the Cat}} in the [[Kenny the Cat|episode of the same name]]
|years = {{Time|2014}}
|cast = yes
|guest = yes
}}
'''Marcel Theo Hall''' ({{Time|April 8}}, {{Time|1964}} - {{Time|July 16}}, {{W|2021}}; aged 57), known professionally as '''Biz Markie''', was an American hip-hop M.C., DJ, producer, and actor. He played {{Link|Kenny the Cat}} in [[Kenny the Cat|the episode of the same name]].

On July 16, 2021, Markie died from complications from {{W|Type 2 diabetes}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/biz-markie-dead-rapper-just-a-friend-1235022061/|website=Variety|access-date=2021-07-25|last=Shafer|first=Ellise|title=Biz Markie, Rapper Known for 'Just a Friend,' Dies at 57|archive-date=2021-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717021214/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/biz-markie-dead-rapper-just-a-friend-1235022061/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Markie was born in Manhattan in the neighborhood of Harlem, New York City on April 8, 1964. He was raised on Long Island in the hamlet of Brentwood and the village of Patchogue, where he spent his teenage years and where, on September 25, 2021, the intersection of South Street and West Avenue, across the street from his then-home, was dedicated as Biz Markie Way. He graduated from Longwood High School in Middle Island in 1982. Markie began his career in New York City nightclubs and later gained regional recognition by performing at colleges in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Regarding the origin of his stage name, the rapper said:

Biz comes from the first hip-hop tape I heard. It was '77, '78, from the L Brothers. Grand Wizard Theodore was the DJ, and the rappers was Kevvy Kev, Master Rob and Busy Bee Starski. I loved Busy Bee. Busy Bee just stuck with me. My name used to be Bizzy B Markie, and after a while I put the Biz with the Markie. My nickname in my neighborhood was Markie.

==Credits==
{{Credit/top}}
{{Credit|Kenny the Cat|voice of {{Link|Kenny the Cat}}}}
{{Credit/bottom|SBSP}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Cast}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Markie, Biz}}