2016 Juice Crew Reunion (BB Kings NYC)
Few artists in Hip Hop history have brought as much joy, originality, and pure charisma to the game as Biz Markie. Born Marcel Hall in Harlem and raised in Long Island, Biz carved out a lane all his own—one that defied convention but never lacked credibility. He got his start beatboxing for Roxanne Shante in 1985 as part of the legendary Juice Crew, but it didn’t take long for him to step into the spotlight as a solo artist. With a voice unlike anyone else’s, a knack for storytelling, and an infectious sense of humor, Biz became one of rap’s most beloved figures.
Biz Markie was a natural entertainer. Whether he was cracking jokes, beatboxing with unmatched skill, or dropping unforgettable hooks, his personality lit up every track he touched. But beyond the antics, there was real artistry. His albums, especially Goin’ Off (1988) and The Biz Never Sleeps (1989), show off his clever wordplay, left-field production choices, and ability to blend comedy with moments of real heart. Songs like “Vapors,” “Nobody Beats the Biz,” and the timeless “Just a Friend” were cultural moments that helped define an era.
Biz was special because he never pretended to be something he wasn’t. He wasn’t the hardest rapper, the fastest rhymer, or the slickest dresser—but he was authentic, and people felt that. His charm, his voice, his unfiltered approach to Hip Hop made him accessible and unforgettable. He proved you didn’t have to fit into a mold to leave a mark.
Beyond his solo work, Biz stayed deeply embedded in the culture. Whether behind the decks as a DJ, showing up on TV, or dropping unexpected cameos, he remained a beloved figure across generations and continents. Fans from New York to Tokyo to London kept rocking with Biz because he never stopped being himself.
This list celebrates the best of Biz Markie—the classics, the deep cuts, the records that made you laugh, nod your head, and sometimes even feel something deeper. It’s a tribute to an artist who brought joy to the mic and stayed true to his essence from the moment he stepped into the game. You might agree or disagree with our picks—but one thing’s for sure: there’s nobody like the Biz. Let’s get into it.
Also read: Essential Rap Songs: Top 15 Lists For Every Influential Hip Hop Act
15. Turn The Party Out (2001)
“Y’all know me as the B-I-Z / That roc the microphone most definitely / Bringing you styles that you never heard / Like brother thug like brother nerd / I’m real super, high in the 80’s / Even Austin Powers’d say “yeahh baby” The hip-hopper unpredictable showstopper Whatever I say, ya know it’s proper / Cuz when I kick it, I kick it like a field goal / Like Erik B and Rakim ya know I got soul / I got funky rhymes that blow your mind…”
From the 2001 Superrappin – The Album, Vol. 2 compilation, this hidden Biz Markie track is one of the most underrated songs in his whole catalog. Great energy from Biz, and an infectious driving beat supported by some dope-ass sampling and scratching.
14. Young Girl Bluez (1993)
“I was walking down the street, just a minding my biz / I saw this young lady, the ultimate / She had a pair of jugs that was so fine / Then I took a look at that behind / 36-24-36, I looked to her and I said “I need a fix” / I asked her the same blahzay, blahzay / Her name, where she live, and how much she weigh / I got her digits and gave her my 1-800 beeper number / You can leave a message under the name of Rhumba / I know you’re bugging off the nickname, I would be too / But every time she be walking, she turns the heads of the crew / Word is bond, I wouldn’t be messing / With this girl if I knew she was an adolescent / To all the guys over 21, here’s the news: / It’s the hip-hop version of the Young Girl Bluez…”
“Young Girl Bluez” is one of the singles from the 1993 album All Samples Cleared!, this one dealing with the dangers of pursuing adult-looking but underage girls, all of it from a young man’s point of view.
13. Tear Sh*t Up (2004)
“Soon to be elected in the Hall of Fame / I rock the microphone, emceeing’s my game / I flip so many styles, my name should be Flipper / On Three’s Company, I wish I was Jack Tripper…”
From the otherwise so-so 2004 comeback album Weekend Warrior, this track is one to remember. Jazzy Jeff’s beat and scratches are dope as f, the hook sticks in your head, and the nonsensical top of the head rhymes are classic Biz. A Biz Markie playlist without “Tear Sh* t Up” on it is an incomplete Biz Markie playlist.
12. She's Not Just Another Woman (Monique) (1989)
“I once knew a girl by the name of Monique / She was my childhood sweetheart every day of the week / Whether PS46, or 151 / After school I’d go to her house, to have some fun / We both lived in Colonial Projects / I lived in building 48, she lived in building 26 / We used to play Ringling, Coke or 1-2-3 / But when I’m in Monique’s presence, I would just freeze…”
There’s a lot of great songs on Biz Markie’s sophomore album The Biz Never Sleeps, this one is one of the absolute stand-out: a heartwarming lovestory about a childhood sweetheart.
11. Pickin' Boogers (1988)
“Now this may sound disgusting and like very gross / But it’s sure to have you trippin’, so yo, listen close / It’s not bright as the sun or sweet like sugar / But it’s rather on the bug tip and it’s called Pickin’ Boogers…”
Juvenile and kind of gross, but classic Biz Markie anyway – also because of the dope Marley Marl instrumental.
10. Alone Again (1991)
“So I went into the show, and started maxin / People came up to me, and started asking / Whassup wit me, and when I’m gettin on / And how many records is Shante gonna perform / I don’t know, but now I gotta go / Cause Shante is callin me to do the show / First she was on, and then she called me out / I did a lot of funky beats without no doubt / I put the mic on my head, and began to riff / The crowd began to flip, cause I was rockin the shift / When we was done, I started to laugh / Massive people come to me for my autograph / After the funk was over it was time to break / If I was rhymin it would be the icin on the cake / As I saw Shante, get into a limo / I had to walk home, I wrote it in my memo…”
This is a classic song, if only because it forever changed the Hip Hop industry. Biz Markie was served a lawsuit by Gilbert O’Sullivan because “Alone Again” contained an unauthorized sample from O’Sullivan’s 1972 song, “Alone Again (Naturally)” The resulting case was Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records Inc., in which the court granted an injunction against the defendants to prevent further copyright infringement of the plaintiff’s song by sampling and referred them for criminal prosecution. The judgment changed the Hip Hop music industry, requiring that any future music sampling be pre-approved by the original copyright owners to avoid a lawsuit. Biz would poke fun at his misfortunes, titling his next album All Samples Cleared!.
9. Albee Square Mall (1988)
“On the mic at this time in the place to be / I’m the Inhuman Orchestra called Biz Markie / That made you dance, make the music with my mouth, and all / But I’m here to talk about the Albee Square Mall…”
Only Biz Markie can make a song about a local shopping mall and turn it into an anthem. Classic Marley Marl beat, and an unforgettable TJ Swan hook.
8. What Goes Around Comes Around (1993)
“Sittin’ here reminiscin’ back to high school / When every time I see you, girl, you know that I drool / Day-dreamin’ in class thinkin’ what would I say / When I saw you, but you never looked my way…”
On “What Goes Around Comes Around” Biz Markie does what he does best: humorously recounting some (miss)adventures over a catchy beat. This is one of the best songs on Biz’s generally underrated fourth album All Samples Cleared!.
7. Spring Again (1989)
“Don’t you like when the winter’s gone / And all of a sudden it starts gettin warm / The trees and the grass start lookin fresh / And the sun and sky be lookin their best / Birds be singin, flowers be blooming / A lot of brand new cars be zoomin…”
One of the singles off Biz Markie’s second album The Biz Never Sleeps, in popularity second only to the unbeatable “Just A Friend”.
6. Biz Is Goin' Off (1988)
“Hey to everybody and, people that say partyin’ / It’s time to hear a funky rhyme from me the Biz Markie again / As I just display ’em, the way I like say ’em / The stutter steppin’ style that I use to amuse and HEY / I’m the original, hellified king-ing / For freaky sound, for throwin’ down, and you know that I’m bringing / The crowd to enjoyment, by what I do…”
Biz Markie’s debut album is really underrated. “Biz Is Goin’ Off” is just one of the Biz Markie classics on Goin’ Off.
5. Things Get A Little Easier (1989)
“Subject two, and this one is a doozy / A messed up story about a girl named Suzy / Now when you’re on WIC, the problems may seem enough / But you know she had to get Scotty to beam her up / On a crack mission, no type of ambition / Make blunts disappear better than a magician / Her eyes got dim, her body got slim / She said there’s nothin in the world like a good ol’ stem…”
In this song, that is built on the “Baby Come Back” bassline from Player, Biz gives us three examples – in typical Biz Markie fashion – of how drugs will mess up your life. This is an underrated track from an underrated album.
4. Nobody Beats The Biz (1988)
“You know me as the B-I-Z M-A-R-K-I-E and / I go for what I know doing a show for human beings / I’m guaranteed to rock I make the ladies scream and shout / I’m bound to wreck your body and say turn the party out…”
Classic Marley Marl beat, classic Biz Markie bars, and a classic TJ Swan hook. “Nobody Beats The Biz” is an essential Biz Markie joint.
3. Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz (1986)
“Well I’m the human orchestra called Biz Markie / Makin music orally is my specialty / When I go [BOOM] ah one-two, girls get excited / When they hear my lyrics they wanna recite ’em…”
“Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz” is Biz Markie’s breakthrough track, released two years before his debut LP Goin’ Off. The Marley Marl beat is a CLASSIC.
2. Just A Friend (1989)
“You, you got what I need / But you say he’s just a friend / And you say he’s just a friend, oh baby / You got what I need / But you say he’s just a friend / But you say he’s just a friend, oh baby / You got what I need / But you say he’s just a friend / But you say he’s just a friend…”
Interpolating Freddie Scott’s 1968 hit “You Got What I Need”, “Just A Friend” is Biz Markie’s biggest hit and a song you can’t help but love, even if it is goofy as hell.
1. Vapors (1988)
“Radio, TV and even the press / Know the meanin’ of V-A-P-O-R-S / The meanin’ of this word without no doubt / Means nobody wants to be there when you’re down and out / Once you’re established and got a lot of money / Everybody wanna be your buddy and honey…”
The lead single from Biz Markie‘s full-length debut album Goin’ Off. In full story-telling mode, Biz shows us how people’s behavior towards you changes after you become successful. “Vapors” is a monumental 1980s Hip Hop song.
The duets with Roxanne Shante – Def Fresh Crew and with his homie BDK Just Rhymin with Biz should have definitely been on this list! Great list though – VAPORS is classic!!!!
I love the Biz. That dude had so much passion for his craft. I was so happy when he started hosting an afternoon show on Rock the Bells radio, even if the gig didn’t last long. My top 15 is definitely weighted towards his first two albums which are classics.
15. A Thing Named Kim
14. Hooker Got a Boyfriend
13. Check It Out
12, I Hear Music
11. Alone Again
10. What Comes Around Goes Around
9. Pickin’ Boogers
8. Biz is Goin Off
7. Spring Again
6. Young Girl Bluez
5. Just a Friend
4. Make the Music With Your Mouth Biz
3. Nobody Beats the Biz
2. Vapors
1. This Is Something For the Radio