Exclusive Interview with Biz Markie
The legendary Biz Markie brings more than 15 years of solid hip-hop acumen and an overwhelming fan-base that stretches from New York City to Japan to Europe. At the age of 14, Marcel Hall dazzled his neighborhood under the alias of Biz Markie. First breaking onto the music scene in 1985 as a beat box for Roxanne Shante of the Juice Crew, Biz began constructing his own destiny in the mystifying world of rap and hip-hop. Now 15 years later and several years wiser, Biz continues to be universally praised by the ever-fickle and unforgiving hip-hop industry. No easy feat to accomplish, Biz has defined longevity to the highest power and has managed to still be one of the most notable artists and DJs in the industry. Born to embrace hip-hop, Biz is originally from Harlem but later moved to Long Island where he gained notoriety by his early teen years for beat boxing and rhyming. The Biz began his journey to musical anarchy, beat boxing his way into hip-hop heads hearts and delivering humorous, witty rhymes that made him loved and admired by music fans all over.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Biz Markie, shortly before his performance at Q Bar on Wednesday 8th May.
How did you first come in contact with the Hip Hop culture and what made you start be become an active part of it?
By listening to L Brother and Cold Crush tapes. I was rapping and beat boxing and just kept searching for more Hip Hop.
You, Doug E. Fresh and Buffy (Fat Boys) are considered as the inventors of beat-boxing. Do you still beat-box these days?
Yes, me and Doug still perform together and Buffy RIP.
You were part of the legendary Juice Crew, with Marley Marl, DJ Mr. Magic, Big Daddy Kane (which became one of the biggest selling and most respected and influential rappers of his time), Roxanne Shanté, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, Tragedy, Craig G and Glamorous - the first female rapper ever been released on vinyl. How did you guys meet and what made you team up?
We met them thru MC Shan, Shan put me on and I started beat boxing for Shante after that.
Your track "Just a Friend" was a Top 10 hit in 1989 and in 2008 made it #100 on VH1's list of the 100 greatest hip hop songs of all time. How does it feel to have created such timeless music?
That’s what I go into the studio to do, create music that people will love forever. I always knew that record would be big.
What are you currently working on?
Touring with DJ’ing, Yo Gabba Gabba and a few projects in the works but I can’t tell you yet.
One reason for your popularity – besides your outstanding beat-boxing skills – are your humorous rhymes. Looking at Hip Hop lyrics today – depth and humor is mostly absent. Rap is/was the art of storytelling. How come these days the stories increasingly often are about the same topics and how do you feel about today’s Hip Hop?
Today’s Hip Hop is suitable for today. Hip Hop is what going on right now. You can’t compare the 80’s to the 90’s and the 90’s to now. There could be more of a variety but there are a lot of talented artists out there now.
Did you ever think that Hip Hop music could/would be as commercially successful as it is today?
Yes
Hip Hop used to give a voice to the oppressed. Where do you see Hip Hop’s position today?
Hip Hop is not oppressed right now. Currently Hip Hop is in the state of glamour so that’s what they talk about, money, clubbing, partying, looking good, designer labels.
You can look back on a career in Hip Hop of over two decades. What was the best and the worst show you ever played?
The best show is everywhere that’s packed. Never a bad show as long as everyone has fun. We like to have fun.
What was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?
I fell on stage in Canada.
Are you adventurous if it comes to food? Do you try the local dishes of the countries you travel to, or do you usually eat what you know from home? Will you give spicy Thai food a chance?
I stick to what I know.
On 8th May you will perform Live here in Bangkok at Q Bar. Have you visited in Thailand before? Will your performance be your Bangkok debut?
No this will be my first time.
What can Bangkok’s Hip Hop fans expect from your performance at Q Bar?
Excitement