Posted by The Hip Hop community was hit with yet another crushing blow on Friday (July 16) when Biz Markie passed away at 57. The pioneering Juice Crew legend died at a Baltimore, Maryland hospital around 6:25 p.m. local time following complications from Type II diabetes.
As tributes from Q-Tip, DJ Scratch, KXNG Crooked and J.J. Fad continue to pour in on social media, “Rock The Bells” icon LL COOL J is having a particularly tough time digesting the news. Shortly after it was announced, he shared an Instagram video of himself in tears, a rare glimpse into LL COOL J’s emotional state.
“I just want to say … rest in power Biz Markie, my friend,” he begins. “So many memories, man. He was in the basement of my grandmother’s house when I wrote ‘Rock The Bells.’ We used to always hang out back in the day, running around Queens, Long Island, and I’m glad we got to do what we got to do toward the end … some of the things we got to do, man.
“Love you bro. I want to send love to all your fans, millions of fans around the world, your family. Send my love to your family, your wife, management and rest in power, bro. Love you, man. Peace.”
View this post on Instagram
LL COOL J’s famous friends quickly lit up the comment section of the post, mourning the loss of such a powerful and beloved cultural force.
“Crushed,” Z-Trip wrote,” while J.J. Fad said, “Love you Todd! He will definitely be missed, so many amazing memories with my dear friend!!”
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea added, “Love to you LL. Biz forever, human hearts will rejoice to his jams long after we are all gone. He has broken through to the other side, god bless.”
Meanwhile, Fat Joe, Public Enemy’s DJ Lord, De La Soul’s Maseo, Kid Capri, Sheek Louch and Goodie Mob’s Khujo showed their support for their grieving friend with various emojis as symbols of solidarity.
Embed from Getty Images
Biz had been struggling with his health for over a year. In July 2020, he was receiving treatment related to Type II diabetes. But as the months passed, friends of Biz started to worry when they hadn’t heard any updates for six months.
DX was told at the time, “He’s not doing great, but it’s not as scandalous as it felt in the beginning. Short story is Biz is diabetic, he had slipped into a diabetic coma, but that has happened to him in the past and it would only last a little while. He would go to the hospital, get discharged and get his meds under control. This particular time, he had a stroke while he was in the middle of the coma.”
Juice Crew Legend Biz Markie Dead At 57
Then in June, REVOLT prematurely announced his death, causing confusion across social media. DX was able to confirm Biz’s situation was dire, but he was still putting up a valiant fight, one that physically ended on July 16. While Biz Markie may have lost the battle, his legacy will live on.