Now that every De La Soul album has made its way to streaming services and into the ears of people who may not have been around during their initial reign, it begs the question: Which other Hip-hop pioneer’s discography has been left out of the streaming era? There are plenty of different answers you can come up with, but one New York legend sticks out from the pack. The great Biz Markie, who currently only has one greatest hits record available on streaming services, was a trailblazing artist who made long-lasting music that should be shared in an unfiltered manner.
Markie, who unfortunately passed in the Summer of 2021, approached Hip-hop in a way that made him accessible to all. His natural knack for crafting catchy flows and imaginative storytelling allowed the artist’s lofty visions for the genre to not only become a reality but become so undeniable that it breathed new life into every corner of Hip-hop. Markie released five studio LPs between 1988 and 2003, with his most successful being 1989’s The Biz Never Sleeps, which produced his iconic “Just A Friend” single. For this Golden Age Thursday, we witness a young Markie showcase his limitless potential. In 1988, Cold Chillin’ Records, to which Markie was signed, sent some of their best artists overseas for a takeover of the U.K. On the tour, Markie was joined by artists like Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Big Daddy Kane, and Marley Marl. After their performance at Brixton Academy, Markie met up with radio legend Tim Westwood to discuss his distinct approach to beatboxing and the origins of his name.
