Biz Markie, famous for hip-hop hit “Just A Friend”, passes away at 57

To say Biz Markie’s “Just A Friend” was a massive hit in in the early ’90s is an understatement. Originally released in September 1989 as hip-hop and rap were starting to reach the mainstream, the single was a lighthearted take on rejection from the opposite sex. While it was labeled as a one-hit wonder, it launched Biz Markie’s career.

Sadly, the hip-hop legend passed away today at the age of 57 due to diabetes-related complications, according to Rolling Stone. Markie, who was labeled as the ‘Clown Prince Of Hip-Hop, was famous for his pop-rap stylings as much as he was for a 1991 lawsuit that altered the landscape of audio samples in hip-hop – making it a much more difficult process. He also paved the way for future rappers that would incorporate humor and comedy into their repertoire.