Biz Markie's 'Legacy Will Span Decades': Obamas, TMZ Report Says

Patchogue NY

04 August, 2021

10:56 PM

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PATCHOGUE, NY — The Obamas sent a condolence letter to the widow of Long Island hip-hop legend Biz Markie's wife, telling her how special to their hearts he was as an entertainer, according to a report by TMZ. In the letter, which was provided to TMZ by Markie's widow, Tara Hall, the former U.S. president, Barack Obama, and first lady, Michelle Obama, begin with expressing their "heartfelt" condolences and say that though they did not know him as long as she did, or other loved ones, he holds a "special place" in their hearts because they admired him as "one of rap's most innovative stylists and as a great man." "Biz Markie brightened every room he was in, and we will always appreciate him for his early support in 2008, bringing people together to "Party with a Purpose" and get out the vote," the letter reads. "His legacy in hip-hop will span generations just as it has for nearly four decades." In addition to performing at "Party for a Purpose," Markie took part in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner after party on May 9, 2009, in Washington, DC. Markie was called the "Clown Prince of Hip-Hop," because of his persona as a happy-go-lucky jokester who poked fun in his lyrics, and had songs like "Pickin Boogers" and "Nobody beats the Biz" — a take on an old-school commercial for The Wiz, a now-defunct electronics retail company. He grew up Marcel Theo Hall and graduated from Patchogue-Medford in 1982, according to WBSS Media. In 1989, he broke into hip-hop in a big way 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 cheeky — sometimes irreverent — humor endeared him to fans, particularly teens and 20-somethings back in 1989 who welcomed the single, "Just a friend," and the tune became a jam still played around the globe no matter the venue. Peggy Spellman Hoey In the official music video, Markie can be seen jamming on a baby grand piano while wearing a white wig and the concert dress of a composer as he crooned the off-key words, "You got what I need. But you say he's just a friend." After "Just a friend," Markie went on to deejay, produce music, and act, including performing comedy in movies like Men In Black 2, in which he beatboxes as an alien in a scene with Will Smith, and also on shows like "Yo Gabba Gabba!" He was welcomed back to his former hometown of Patchogue several years ago where he took part in the Of Colors Creative Collective at Artspace. Markie was feted in an emotional funeral ceremony in Patchogue on Monday where there was both tears, but also laughter as he was remembered as a free spirit by family, close friends, and colleagues in the music industry. Peggy Spellman Hoey The funeral drew the entertainment industry's who's who of hip-hop music moguls and icons, including Fat Joe, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Ice T, Roxanne Shanté, and MC Debbie D, to mention a few, in a star-studded memorial that shut down Main Street outside the Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts for nearly the whole day. 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. Peggy Spellman Hoey / Patch Media "We are all one family because of Biz, and I want you all to leave with one thing here today: Biz was love," said DJ Cool V, who worked with Markie on his music. He recalled 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." Peggy Spellman Hoey In their letter, the Obamas told Hall that they hope she takes comfort in the fond memories she has of him. "Please know that we are holding you, Averi, and your entire family in our thoughts and prayers," the letter concluded. Markie is expected to be honored again this month with the renaming of a Patchogue Street — Biz Markie Way.