Biz Markie, ‘Just a Friend’ Rapper, Useless at 57

Biz Markie, the pioneering rapper, producer, and beatboxer whose jovial goofiness, boundless, off-kilter creativity and progressive new music produced him a singular presence in both of those hip-hop and pop tradition at huge, died Friday at the age of 57. “It is with profound unhappiness that we announce, this night, […]