Hip-Hop Legend Biz Markie Remembered For Being Essence Of 'Love’

PATCHOGUE, NY — No one will ever beat “The Biz,” and that was a recurring theme on Monday in Patchogue as the Clown Prince of Hip-Hop’s life was celebrated at his funeral.

Fans lined Main Street outside the Patchogue Theater for Performing Arts, playing the songs he was famous for, like "Just a friend" and “Nobody beats The Biz," as he was feted by family and friends who remembered his contributions to his art and shared personal stories of him.

Markie was eulogized by Rev. Al Sharpton who called him an example and "our star," USA Today reported.

"We came to Long Island to remember Biz Markie, but he was more than just a friend," he said. "He was an icon."

The hit record doesn't tell you the whole story," he said. "Thank you, Biz; you never let us down. "You were more than just a friend."

In a service that was billed as "The Final Show," Markie lay inside a closed casket on the stage, which was adorned with a giant gold sign emblazoned with the word "Biz," while an artist recreated an iconic photo of him laughing.

DJ Cool V, who worked with Markie on his music, told the crowd, "We are all one family because of Biz, and I want you all to leave with one thing here today: Biz was love."

He went on to recall how Markie was the kind of person who was never hated by anyone.

“They could be mad at him, but Biz was love because when he came in a room, he made you understand that, you know, ‘I am here,’” he said. “So you laugh and you remember Biz but I want to share all of these memories with you all over the next years of our lives.”

He noted that he knew Biz on his full journey of 40 years, saying not many last that full journey, adding, “This is one of the people who did it."

The funeral service was attended by Markie’s contemporaries like Fat Joe, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Busta Rhymes, Al B. Sure!, Ice T, and Roxanne Shante.

DJ Kool said he knew Markie since 1987.

“When God made Biz Markie, he threw the mold away,” he said. “He is one of one. You will never, ever see another one like Biz Markie.”

Other attendees included Shinnecock Indian Nation Tribal Trustee Lance Gumbs.

"He personified HipHop/Rap but more then that he was a good human being," he wrote on Facebook.

Nicknamed the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop," for his juvenile rhymes, outfits, and songs like "Pickin Boogers," Markie grew up Marcel Theo Hall and graduated from Patchogue-Medford in 1982, according to WBSS Media. In 1989, he broke into hip-hop with "Just a friend," which was played all over the world and became a Top 40 hit in multiple countries before going platinum, TMZ reported. His humor was cheeky, sometimes irreverent, but it endeared him to fans, particularly the fans of "Just a friend," which is still a staple whether its a school dance or an over-21 club.

In the official music video, Markie can be seen playing a piano wearing a white wig and the concert dress of a composer while crooning the off-key words, "You got what I need. But you say he's just a friend."

It was that iconic 80s track that he would always be known for.

Markie's career took off after "Just a friend," and he went on to act, perform comedy, deejay, and produce music, TMZ reported.

Markie later turned to children’s entertainment, making appearances on "Yo Gabba Gabba!" He was welcomed back to his former hometown of Patchogue in 2014 where he was honored for his achievements at Alive After Five on Main Street, the Long Island Advance reported at the time.

TMZ reported the rapper died on July 16 from complications of Diabetes at a Maryland hospital while his wife, Tara, held his hand.

Fans stood outside the Patchogue Theater for hours in the heat, listening to his music and dancing on the sidewalk.

“We love you, Biz,” one woman called out.

Rich from Ronkonkoma said he grew up listening to Markie and always considered him a hip-hop legend “that we would be proud of” and is a person that makes him proud to be from Long Island.

“He is one of the pioneers of rap, and was respected by everyone,” he said, adding, he was very special to me.”

Kevin Carter, a fellow musician who worked with Markie, said he traveled from Minneapolis to pay his respects and remarked how great Markie was with children, something he witnessed when he saw a “Yo Gabba Gabba!” performance with his niece.

“He was so good with the kids,” he said, adding, “He would do beatboxing on the mic and give them an example of what to do and give them the mic. He was a beautiful man.”

A Street in Patchogue is expected to be dedicated in BizMarkie's honor later this month.

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