What was Biz Markie’s net worth? Rapper had vast toy collection of Barbies and TV show dolls
Iconic rapper, DJ, beatboxer and record producer Biz Markie breathed his last on Friday, July 16. He was 57. Markie was battling complications from diabetes. Bidding his final goodbyes, the rapper passed away at 6:25 pm in a Baltimore hospital. He is now survived by his wife Tara, and daughter Averi. The hip-hop legend was best known for his 1989 single ‘Just a Friend’.
The news of Biz Markie’s death comes weeks after the rumors surfaced that he had passed away as he was recently hospitalized after suffering a stroke. His manager Jenni Izumi had then confirmed that Biz is alive and under medical care at the moment. However, this time he succumbed to his disease. Biz was known for his friendly and vibrant personality. Among his circle, the late icon was famous for his constant jokes and frequent banter. Apart from Biz Markie, hip-hop also lost a few other legends in the last few months like DMX, Chi Modu, Shock G, and Double K.
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Early Life
Biz Markie, whose real name is Marcel Theo Hall, was born in Manhattan and was raised on Long Island. He began his career in New York City nightclubs and later got recognition for his performances at colleges in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Markie dropped his debut studio album in 1988 called ‘Goin' Off. However, it was his second album ‘The Biz Never Sleeps’ that gained him a wider audience, all thanks to his career’s best single ‘Just a Friend’. The song peaked at number nine on the U.S. charts and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders and as one of the 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop by VH1. Biz Markie was eventually given the name of "Clown Prince of Hip Hop".
Biz Markie’s net worth
Biz Markie was a multi-talented individual who not only had exceptional rapping skills but was also a DJ, a comedian, a beatboxer and a music producer. This allowed him to pocket impressive money throughout his career. He was also a part of a young supergroup which consisted of several eventual greats namely Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, MC Shan and others. Speaking of his net worth, the late icon was valued at $1million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. He was among the greats in the 80’s and the 90’s which made him pocket fat paycheques.
Speaking about his fame, he told Washington Post in 2019, “The weirdest thing about my fame is that when I’m thinking that it’s almost over it just sparks back up,” he told The Post in 2019. “I made ‘Just a Friend’ in ’89. Some people’s records die-it sprouts up. Now it’s 30 years later and it’s sprouted up again in commercials. They’re not letting me die. The public, the fans, they like me around.” Markie also made money from his acting roles. He was featured in ‘In Living Color’, ‘Men in Black II’, ‘Celebrity Fit Club’ and ‘Wild 'n Out’. He also upped the ante by joining hands with artistes such as the Rolling Stones, Len, Wu-Tang Clan, and the Beastie Boys. Markie also opened for Chris Rock's tour in 2008 and took part in the 2013 ‘Yo Gabba Gabba’ tour. Markie dropped his last full-length album in 2003 called ‘Weekend Warrior.’
Biz Markie was an avid toy collector
Apart from his unconditional love for music, Biz Markie was also an avid toy collector. He was featured on an episode of 'Celebrity House Hunting'’ in 2012 where he revealed that he was looking for a new house to get more space for his toys. Speaking to Washington Post about his love for toys, he had said, “I’ve got the Six Million Dollar Man, paralympic Barbie, ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ dolls, the Fonz action figure, the Munsters”. According to Brainy Quote, he had said, “I'm an avid collector of toys. I got everything. Name it. From the Easy Bake Oven to Barbies to every TV show doll, racing cars... I've been collecting since I was a little kid.”