“Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz” by Biz Markie

Between 1986 and 1987 you couldn’t go anywhere in the hip hop world without hearing Biz Markie. If it was on Roxanne Shante’s “The Def Fresh Crew, ”or on his first EP or singles, the Biz seemed to be everywhere. In 1988 he released Goin’ Off  and then followed up with 1989’s The Biz Never Sleeps. Both albums featured his juvenile humor and quirky subject matter, and cemented him as one of the most original rappers from the golden age of hip hop.

“Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz” was released in 1986 on Prism Records. It was his first EP as a solo artist and produced by Marley Marl. It also featured Isaac Hayes’ “Ike's Mood 1” throughout. I loved this track, with Marley Marl’s fantastic production and his deep subwoofer popping beats. It was a great first single and showcased his potential.
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We lost Marcel Theo “Biz Markie” Hall this past Friday to complications from diabetes. He will forever be remembered for his lighthearted and humorous take on hip hop. His distinctive style can’t be replicated, and even though he was often tagged “the Clown Prince of Hip-Hop” and a novelty act, he was one of the pioneers of the genre and he will never be forgotten.