After Biz Markie’s death was announced Friday (July 16), reactions from his hip-hop peers — including Questlove, Q-Tip and Wyclef — started to pour in, in remembrance of the jovial “Just a Friend” rapper.
“Biz built me,” Roots mastermind Questlove started his touching tribute on Instagram, recalling how the veteran MC taught him where to dig for the best records, or even 8-tracks. “I’m using all the education he taught me,” he added. “We will miss him. But he will be here forever.”
“This one hurts baad,” A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip tweeted. “Damn I’m gonna miss u.”
In a statement via Markie’s rep late Friday, his family said, “Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years.” Read more tributes below:
This one hurts baad … RIP to my Aries bro… ahhh man @BizMarkie damn im gonna miss u so so many memories.. hurts bad. My FRIEND
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) July 17, 2021
One of my favorite songs @BizMarkie Rest easy king 🖤🖤🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/2MyU9z7URa
— Timbaland (@Timbaland) July 17, 2021
👑🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊👑pic.twitter.com/STwjdiI8by
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) July 17, 2021
My close friend Bizmarkie.. Is gone at 57.. We shared a tour bus our very 1st tour ‘The Dope Jam Tour’ @LegendaryCOOLV , TJSwan.. We were all so young and hype. Enjoy every single moment of life with your friends and family. “Life is Short” via RunDMC 🙏
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) July 17, 2021
Biz markiie past away at 57 first time I saw was appolo theater I was 18 years he was a true Goat pic.twitter.com/fi7To0M6Li
— Wyclef Jean (@wyclef) July 17, 2021
He’s Biz Markie (the star of the show)
He’s Biz Markie (hard working)
He’s Biz Markie (Mr. Dynamite)
NOBODY BEATS THE BIZ (Rest In Beats) https://t.co/pvHtwbr45W— Ice Cube (@icecube) July 17, 2021
“Oh baby YOU…. You got what I need…..” my childhood jam💔 RIP BIZ.
— Kirk Franklin (@kirkfranklin) July 17, 2021
Some of the greatest/wildest dj sets I've ever witnessed…responsible for so many classic tunes–mind blowingly inventive music. And just a beautiful spirit. Rest in power ❤️ pic.twitter.com/J55HlXWcMO
— Mark Ronson (@MarkRonson) July 17, 2021
All of my love to the one of a kind bringer of love and joy, the great Biz Markie. I will bang his records til the day I die and my heart will rejoice. I love you Biz.
— Flea (@flea333) July 17, 2021
We lost another Rap legend Mr. Biz Markie, an American rapper, singer, DJ, record producer, actor, comedian, and writer. He's best known for his 1989 single "Just a Friend"! To a lot of us he was more than Just a Friend. R.I.P. Prayers going out to the family & friends. Bootsy🤩 pic.twitter.com/URnUMKIQdB
— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) July 17, 2021
Damn. Damn. 😢😢😢😢
He was a love! 💔💔💔
Rest In Peace, Biz Markie. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/rMfCu7fTqM— Holly Robinson Peete 💃🏾♍️ (@hollyrpeete) July 17, 2021
RIP #BizMarkie – A true legend ♥️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/H0IjfS2Nbj
— Evelyn Lozada (@EvelynLozada) July 17, 2021
I can remember so many times trying to beat box like you until my lips was sore😩& whenever we saw each other your energy was always so full of Life/Love/& Good Vibes💜 Your impact in the culture Is 4EVER🙌🏾 & you will NEVER be Forgotten🕊💜🙏🏾 Rest king @BizMarkie👑 pic.twitter.com/gCzsdzQtwS
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) July 17, 2021
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRb54UorV6j/
#AlBeez 🐝 🌍 Brother Marcel aka @BizMarkie has transitioned to a higher frequency w/ no more suffering. We’ll all remember your infectious style of delivery because it always left us with a smile! Our heart felt condolences go out to the entire Hall family. #AlBSure #RestinPeace pic.twitter.com/ME9pYTsfhR
— Al B. Sure! (@OfficialAlBSure) July 17, 2021
Some words on our friend and collaborator, Biz Markie.
– Mike📸 by Ricky Powell pic.twitter.com/TNmsuNnxsD
— Beastie Boys (@beastieboys) July 17, 2021
Two HIP HOP KINGS United In The Universe
🙏🏾👑❤️🕊Guru would be 60 today…
R.I.P. To The Diabolical @BizMarkie
— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) July 17, 2021
It was a honor sharing a stage with you. @BizMarkie @mjambriz pic.twitter.com/Be9LyYl1Ih
— New Kids on the Block (@NKOTB) July 17, 2021
‘Reagan Is The Prez but I voted for Shirley Chisholm’ ..Nobody Beats The Biz Yes Bizmarkie spit line even though I think it was written by @bigdaddykane set me off on a political lyrical path style for Rebel Without A Pause. Notice the records both start with Marv & Bizs YES! RIB pic.twitter.com/l78eAD85XU
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 17, 2021
I got to work with BIZ MARKIE a number of times, from Yo Gabba Gabba to Tom Joyner Cruise. He was a larger than life personality, lover of Hip-Hop music, a huge kid at heart. Literally the FIRST TIME ever meeting my seeds he put em in a head lock & started giving them noogies pic.twitter.com/XYOwz0XrLP
— SPEECH (@Speech__) July 17, 2021
Rest in Beats, Brother Biz 🙏🏾🕊@BizMarkie pic.twitter.com/6Ys3LGBk4l
— PUBLIC ENEMY (@PublicEnemyFTP) July 17, 2021
“All We Do Is Laugh”…Rest Easy Legend #BIZMARKIE pic.twitter.com/gIoQY39zxx
— Mark McGrath (@mark_mcgrath) July 17, 2021
R.I.P. Legend @BizMarkie ☁️🕊🙏🏿 👑 🌹 #gonebutneverforgotten #ripbizmarkie #fuckdiabetes pic.twitter.com/KQmqPqK5Rf
— E40 Mogul Entrepreneur (@E40) July 17, 2021
Rest In Peace #BizMarkie pic.twitter.com/P89qMNDs1z
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) July 17, 2021