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Biz Markie, born Marcel Hall on April 8, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, was an American rapper renowned for his humorous singles, particularly "Just a Friend." His career began in the early 1980s as a performer and human beatbox for artists like MC Shan and Roxanne Shante. In 1988, he signed with the Cold Chillin' record label and released his debut album, Goin' Off, which became an underground hit. The following year, "Just a Friend," from his album The Biz Never Sleeps, achieved mainstream success in the United States. As one of hip hop's prominent figures, Biz faced significant pressure with his third album, I Need a Haircut, which turned out to be a commercial failure, partly due to a lawsuit from Gilbert O'Sullivan over a sample used in the song "Alone Again." This lawsuit, Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Brothers Records, Inc., had a lasting impact on the hip hop industry, leading to the practice of clearing samples before use. In 1993, he released All Samples Cleared!, but it also failed commercially. Following this, Biz collaborated with the Beastie Boys and took on a lower profile while DJing. He made a notable appearance in the film Men in Black II in 2002 alongside Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. In 2005, he participated in the VH1 reality show "Celebrity Fit Club," showcasing his journey to

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