By Mark Gray
9:55am PDT, Jul 17, 2021
Biz Markie, the iconic rapper behind the 1989 song "Just a Friend," passed away on July 16 due to complications from diabetes. Not one was Biz a singer, he was a producer, DJ and comedian. Following his death, many on the entertainment world mourned and publicly paid tribute to Biz on social media. Click through to see how he's being honored on social media…
"I can remember so many times trying to beat box like you until my lips was sore & whenever we saw each other your energy was always so full of Life/Love/& Good Vibes Your impact in the culture Is 4EVER & you will NEVER be Forgotten Rest king @BizMarkie" –Missy Elliott
"Loved you Biz Markie!! Loved your music!!! RIP"–Viola Davis
"Love you, bro and I want to send love to all your fans… to your family, to your wife, management and rest in power bro" –LL Cool J
"This man made me laugh, cry, and feel such joy. You will be missed !! The incomparable #bizmarkie Not just a friend, an inspirational soul. Rest In Peace" –Tamron Hall
"He's Biz Markie (the star of the show)
He's Biz Markie (hard working)
He's Biz Markie (Mr. Dynamite)
NOBODY BEATS THE BIZ (Rest In Beats)" –Ice Cube
"First thing on my mind waking up this morning… I'm gonna miss my guy… #BizMarkie" –Ice-T
"My prayers and condolences go out to the family of the iconic Biz Markie. Much love brotha" –Martin Lawrence
"RIP to my friend and music legend Biz Markie. A DJ, rapper, and producer Biz Markie really knew how to rock a party! Cookie and I will never forget when he came to our 25th anniversary event in Europe and kept everyone on the dance floor!" –Earvin "Magic" Johnson
"Biz built me man. In my early early stages it was Biz who taught me the REAL places to cop records….Biz taught me what cities had good digging…..Biz taught me where to collect 45s……Biz taught me where to collect 8TRACK TAPES!!…. Biz "tried" to get me into Star Wars action figure collecting…..Biz taught me where in Tokyo I should go to collect vintage iron on decals… This cat was one in a million. I'll never forget my first time at #NerdProm during O's first term & Biz was the dj & i asked him "what's the Wobble"——BIZ loved getting you if you weren't up on something——especially a know it all like me—-"AYE VAUGHN he don't know The Wobble!!!!" (Whole crew eye rolling me….he plays it & I never seen a black song transform an entire room of suits—the press/White House staff/even Rachel Maddow ran from behind her bar (she was serving drinks) & got down. He taught me ALOT. Im using ALL the education he taught me. We will miss him. But he will be here forever. Love you Biz @officialbizmarkie #BizMarkie" –Questlove
"When my son was 3 I took him to Yo Gabba Gabba Live because he wanted to meet Biz Markie & learn how to beat box which is exactly what happened in Biz's dressing room after the show. We love Biz Markie so much. RIP Legend" –Tom Arnold
"It was a honor sharing a stage with you @BizMarkie" –New Kids on the Block
"This one hurts baad … RIP to my Aries bro… ahhh man @BizMarkie damn im gonna miss u so so many memories.. hurts bad. My FRIEND."" –Q-Tip
"Damn. Damn. He was a love! Rest In Peace, Biz Markie" –Holly Robinson Peete
