Once regarded as hip-hop's original funnyman, Biz Markie may have just become a joke.
Until recently, Biz Markie was among hip-hop's respected pioneers, the class clown of rap's old school. But Biz's legacy could have sunk a bit last week when he went from dope rhymer to just another reality television celeb when he appeared among the B-list cast of VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club."
Joining the rotund Biz on "Fit Club's" roster were Hollywood luminaries such as Daniel Baldwin (the other-other-other Baldwin brother), Mablean Ephriam (the honorable judge presiding over the "Divorce Court"), Joe Gannascoli (he plays gay mobster Vito Spatafore on HBO's "The Sopranos") and that lady from the Snapple commercials. The premise of "Fit Club"? Follow "celebrities" as they face weight issues and, in VH1's words, "aim to shed pounds, but they'll also have to shed their inhibitions." Humiliating high jinks ensue, no doubt.
If the once Diabolical Biz Markie can catch a case of the "Vapors" like this, is anyone safe?
Biz, of course, sees his reality TV experience a little differently. He doesn't care as much about his professional image as he does his self-image.
"I wanted to lose a couple pounds, and I thought it would be good to learn how to lose weight," Biz said through a bad cell phone connection while walking the streets of Long Island City in New York. "I'm doing this for my life! I don't care about publicity. And I know my fans will always be loyal."
They sure are. During a hustled, 12-minute interview, admirers constantly stopped Biz, some screaming in true fandemonium, some saying "I just saw you on TV!" and others imitating his famous beatboxing skills.
Biz downplayed his role as hip-hop hierarchy, saying people approach him -- and love him -- because he's himself, just Biz.
"Real recognizes real, you know what I mean?" he said. "A genuine person is going to recognize another genuine person."
Before reality TV, Markie was all about keepin' it real. Born Marcel Hall, Biz, 40, is best known as a classic East Coast emcee and lyrical dynamo: a witty wordsmith, absorbing storyteller and chief party starter. And he rhymed (and sometimes sang) with flair all his own, separating himself from the usual rap machismo with a wild, mischievous signature style that inspired future MC eccentrics such as Ol' Dirty Bastard.
Back in the day, before rap stardom, Biz built his persona as a fearless freestyle rhymer and a human beatbox, uncannily imitating the sounds of musical instruments with his mouth and body.
He wrote a handful of early rap standards, comical tunes such as "Pickin' Boogers," "Vapors" and "Let Go My Eggo," flexed his skills on cuts like "Nobody Beats the Biz" and "I'm the Biz Markie," but also laughed at himself with rhymes that explored his insecurities on "I'm An Ugly (Brother)" and "Just a Friend."
After 20 years in the game, he has remained a hip-hop fixture, recently putting down the microphone and moving behind the turntables. Today, he's an in- demand DJ, spinning records and rocking parties, which he will do here tonight at an old-school jam at Sandlewood Warehouse.
"All I can say is, excitement, unpredictable and just a whole lotta fun," Biz said of his typical show behind the turntables. He would not divulge a set list, though, or even talk about how many records he brings to a show.
"It depends on what I see in front of me," he said. "But this is my first time coming to Alaska, and I'm going to leave a footprint up there."
Biz said he gets the same charge from a good night of deejaying and he used to as a rapper.
"It's just that a DJ sees more of a melting pot of people," he said. "And if I throw on a record that no one has heard or do a little scratch, it's as creative as writing a rhyme."
Biz has spent a lot of time on the creative fringe and is something of a hip-hop Forrest Gump, having been a part of many landmark moments in the music's brief history. He was: part of the groundbreaking Juice Crew, a clique of East Coast performers who ushered in a new era of rap in the late '80s; a close creative friend of the Beastie Boys; sued by Gilbert O'Sullivan over the use of a music sample, in the first major case regarding sampling of beats; and creator of one of the earliest rap-pop crossover successes in 1989's "Just a Friend," a hit in which he lovingly butchered the unforgettable hook by singing "Youuuuu, Youuuuu got what I neeeeed, but you say he's just a friend."
When the buzz from "Just a Friend" cooled, mainstream media and pop listeners quickly labeled Biz as a one-hit wonder. He subsequently disappeared from the pop charts and eventually from record shelves. He went 10 years between releasing albums from 1993's "All Samples Cleared!" to 2003's "Weekend Warrior."
Biz said he's a little frustrated with the current state of hip-hop but loves his role in it, saying "there are more leaders than followers right now. That just makes me stand out more."
Biz didn't exactly slip into emcee obscurity after "Just a Friend." His DJ schedule keeps him busy four nights per week. And he received shine in recent years from his collaborations with megastars Beastie Boys and Jay-Z and has also had cameos on the big screen ("Men in Black II") and small screen, appearing on Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers." And his biggest hit, "Just a Friend," had a rebirth in 2002 when young R&B singer Mario turned a souled-out cover into a hit for a second time.
And in November, Biz answered all the haters who decided to sleep on him over the years. He unveiled the Biz Markie Talking Alarm Clock (made by Ecko Unltd., $65), which bares his likeness and recites his popular catchphrases such as "You caught the vapors!" and "Turn the party out!"
Now, if the Biz could just turn back the clock on his foray into reality TV ...
Reporter Josh Niva can be reached at jniva@adn.com.
'80S THEME PARTY: BACK TO THE OLD SCHOOL, featuring Biz Markie, AK MCs and Strictly Stereo is at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at Sandlewood Warehouse, 7901 Sandlewood Place. Tickets: $30, $25 in advance at The Look and Taco Del Mar. The event is 21-and-up.
FOR MORE on Biz Markie, visit www.bizmarkie.com.
