just a friend

Cedric The Entertainer opened the 2021 Emmys with an ode to Biz Markie. With the help of other nominees and celebrities, the legendary actor and comedian performed a rendition of the late rapper’s 1989 hit Just A Friend. Some of the stars who joined in include Lil Dicky, Anthony Anderson, and Tracee Ellis Ross.

“Some of y’all thought this celebration would be more subdued, kind of like an Emmys light, but that’s not the way this host treats his best friend.”

Cedric opened the bit with a short intro before making his way to the stage, singing alongside a dancer with a TV for a head.

“Let me tell you a story, about my situation. Couldn’t leave the crib, TV was my staycation,” rapped the actor as the crowd sang along to the chorus.

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It was a heartfelt and thoughtful performance, honoring the late “Clown Prince of HipHop” who passed away earlier this year. Although the cause still hasn’t been revealed, the late rapper struggled with Type 2 Diabetes. The late Biz Markie had been in and out of hospital from complications arising from the disease since April 2020. The rapper first made it into the limelight with his debut album, Goin Off. The project produced underground favorites like Vapors and Pickin’ Boogers.

Biz Markie’s Legacy

Biz Markie, born Marcel Theo Hall in 1964, first began performing in nightclubs within the Manhattan area. He finally got his big break after appearing in the 1986 documentary Big Fun in the Big Town. His famous hit, Just A Friend, wouldn’t be released until October 1989. The song was released as the lead single of his second studio album, The Biz Never Sleeps, and went platinum in April 1990.

This year’s Emmys were a nice change from the typical monologue opener. The entire audience was singing along by the time the tribute was over.

Written by: Sheila Maina

Twitter: @nazlin_sheila

Cut Chemist has released a seventy-minute tribute to Biz Markie on Mixcloud. Cut Chemist tribute to Biz Markie is an hour and ten-minute recording of Biz Markie’s songs, live shows and interviews. There are also different people talking about Biz’s songs, old commercial recordings and some guy who “heard everything first.” Sometimes it’s hard to tell what was recorded before the tribute and what Cut Chemist or other Jurassic 5 members added.

In an interview for HipHopDX, Cut Chemist talked about the recording and his relationship with Biz Markie. “Biz was a mentor and a friend,” Cut Chemist said, “He taught me so much as a collector. He also taught me that you could be unlike anyone else and still be accepted. Working on a song together felt natural, like two friends diggin music and then building off of that to make music. It was a true honor to get to know him as best I could over the last 25 + years.”

Biz Markie

Biz Markie died a month ago from complications caused by Type II diabetes. The New York rapper, DJ, record producer, actor, comedian and writer dropped his debut record Goin Off in 1988. His 1989 The Biz Never Sleeps album made him internationally famous and got the hit single “Just A Friend” a No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Biz left a legacy in Hip-Hop. At his funeral, DJ Cutmaster Cool V, Roxanne Shante and Rev. Al Sharpton have spoken. Maseo, Redman, Ice T, Fat Joe and Big Daddy Kane also visited the ceremony. Some people in London have even built a tribute mural.

The Universal Hip-Hop Museum sent their regrets as well: “The Universal Hip Hop Museum is saddened by the news about Biz Markie’s death. His wit, humor, and creative genius will live on forever at the museum.”

You can read more about Biz Markie on our website.

Written by Nikita Serdiuk | IG: @nikitasrdk | Twitter: @nktserdiuk