‘More than just a friend’: Hip-hop stars pay respects to Biz Markie as rapper is laid to rest

Ice-T and Fat Joe turned out for the memorial service (Picture: Getty)

Stars from the hip-hop community gathered in New York on Monday to pay tribute to the late rapper Biz Markie.

Biz Markie, real name Marcel Theo Hall, died on July 16 with his wife Tara by his side, and while a cause of death has yet to be announced, the star had previously been hospitalised due to complications stemming from his Type 2 diabetes.

A memorial service was held at New York’s Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts, with stars including LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Ice-T and Fat Joe paying their respects.

Montell Jordan performed at the service, which was live-streamed following a private viewing for family.

A floral arrangement reading ‘Biz’ was featured on stage, while a colourful portrait of the Just A Friend rapper was painted for the occasion and placed next to the star’s coffin.

Markie’s widow Tara Hall said of her late husband: ‘The thing I’m going to miss the most about him was every time he would see me, his face would just light up with that Chiclet, toothy smile. Seeing him smile made me smile. 

A portrait of the star was commissioned (Picture: AP)

Big Daddy Kane was among those paying their respects (Picture: Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock)

‘He made me laugh every day. That is not hyperbole. That is a fact.’

She also revealed that former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle send her a letter of condolences following Markie’s death.

Calling the letter ‘heartfelt’, Hall added that she and other relatives were ‘blown away that they took the time out to send their condolences about the loss of our loved one in our family.’ 

Rev. Al Sharpton eulogised Markie, and praised him for staying true to his roots despite his fame and chart success.

He said: ‘Everybody in this room is here because Biz earned our attendance. Because he was always there for us.

Tara Hall said her husband always made her laugh (Picture: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images)

Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy (Picture: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images)

‘The thing that was remarkable about Biz is he never lost that authenticity. Some artists started black and then went mainstream. Biz was one of the artists that made mainstream come black.

‘He was our star. He was more than just a friend. The hit record doesn’t tell you the whole story. Thank you, Biz. You never let us down. You were more than just a friend.’

The Harlem born rapper became known for performing on the college scene across the States in the 1980s, before releasing his first album, Goin’ Off, in 1988.

However, it was his 1989 album The Biz Never Sleeps which really shot him to fame, as the single Just A Friend reached the Billboard top 10.

The rapper died aged 57 (Picture: Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock)

Biz Markie was best known for his hit song Just A Friend (Picture: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for BACARDI)

The track, which samples Freddie Scott’s 1968 song You Got What I Need, was used in shows including It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Love, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Beavis & Butthead.

Markie released a further three albums, with his last, Weekend Warrior, in 2003, as well as eight compilations, up to 2010’s The Aquabats Radio Down!

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He was also an actor, providing voice work for shows including SpongeBob SquarePants and Adventure Time and starring in Men In Black II.

Markie also appeared in Sharknado 2: The Second One, Black-ish, Empire and the kids’ show Yo Gabba Gabba!

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