Culture
In Memoriam: Biz Markie, hip-hop icon, passes away
Biz Markie, the legendary rap pioneer known for his 1989 hit single “Just a Friend,” has died Friday night. He was 57 years old.
Biz Markie, the legendary rap pioneer known for his 1989 hit single “Just a Friend,” died Friday night. He was 57.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce, this evening, with his wife Tara by his side, Hip Hop pioneer Biz Markie peacefully passed away,” the rapper’s family said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the many calls and prayers of support that we have received during this difficult time. Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years. He leaves behind a wife, many family members and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes and frequent banter. We respectfully request privacy for his family as they mourn their loved one.”
Cause of Death
While a cause of death was not revealed, the rapper had struggled in recent years with health issues related to his decade-long battle with Type 2 diabetes.
Markie was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2011, and, a few years later, revealed he had lost 140 pounds in an effort to overcome his illnesses and avoid possible amputations.
“I wanted to live,” he told ABC News in 2014. “Since I have to be a diabetic, If I didn’t make the changes, it was going to make the diabetes worse. I’m trying to get off [the Diabetes meds]. The way you gotta do it is lose the weight. I’m off half my meds, I just got to get off the rest.”
Biz Markie Died In Baltimore
In April 2020, he was hospitalized due to complications related to the disease, and later that year suffered a stroke after going into a diabetic coma.
According to TMZ, Biz Markie died in a hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
Known As The Clown Prince of Hip-Hop
Markie, born Marcel Theo Hall, became known within the rap industry as the self-proclaimed “Clown Prince of Hip-Hop” for lighthearted lyrics and a humorous nature.
He made music with the Beastie Boys, opened for Chris Rock’s comedy tour and was a sought-after DJ for countless star-studded events.
Started Career With The Juice Crew
The New York-native’s music career began in 1985 as a beat boxer of the Juice Crew, a rap collective he helped Big Daddy Kane join.
‘Just A Friend’ was his breakthrough hit
In 1988, Markie released his debut album, Goin’ Off.
But Markie’s big breakthrough to the mainstream came with his sophomore album, 1989’s The Biz Never Sleeps, which included his hit “Just a Friend.”
Biz Markie appeared in TV and Film
In addition to music, Markie also acted in movies and television, becoming a fixture on the children’s TV series Yo Gabba Gabba! with his “Biz’s Beat of the Day” beatboxing segment.
He also appeared on “In Living Color” and the 2002 movie “Men in Black II,” which had him playing an alien parody of himself in the film starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.
Biz Markie leaves behind a host of family, friends, loved ones, and fans.
Rest in peace.
Photo Credit : Keith Ellison
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Culture
New Wu-Tang Clan concert film returns to Wilmington before PBS release
Screening as part of Wu-Tang Wednesday series by 3 Chambers and DJ RizzyBeats
On November 6th, 3 Chambers and DJ RizzyBeats will bring the highly anticipated concert film documentary A WU-TANG EXPERIENCE: LIVE AT RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE back to Wilmington, North Carolina for a free community screening at Waterline Brewing Company as part of their Wu-Tang Wednesday series. The North Carolina Black Film Festival had the Southern premiere of the film in Wilmington back in May.
Wu-Tang Clan concert film
Combining performances and revealing interviews with group members and associates, classical musicians, and concertgoers, the Wu-Tang Clan concert film documents the extraordinary concert at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre where the Wu-Tang Clan, backed by the 60-piece Colorado Symphony Orchestra, weaved together songs from their vast discography of group and solo albums. Their setlist created a live score to a real-time screening of the seminal martial arts film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin—the movie that largely inspired the Clan’s aesthetic and the title of their groundbreaking debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
The documentary deconstructs stereotypes that limit classical music and Hip-Hop as mutually exclusive musical genres, dismantles these imposed limitations, and collapses boundaries and artistic mediums to amplify the ways classical music, Hip-Hop, and film can coalesce in a beautiful, innovative union.
The film is co-directed by Wu-Tang Clan’s The RZA and Gerald K. Barclay.
How to watch
Wu-Tang Wednesday will start at 5pm at Waterline Brewing Company with a Wu-Tang set by DJ RizzyBeats. A WU-TANG EXPERIENCE: LIVE AT RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE will screen at 7pm.
Rude Bwoys Food Truck will be on-site and Gravity Records will have vinyl records for sale.
Attendees will also be able to learn more about the upcoming 3 Chambers Fest, which happens on December 4th – 7th in Wilmington, North Carolina. Festival passes and tickets are currently on sale at www.3chambers.com.
This event is free and open to the public. This will be the only public screening in the South before the streaming premiere on PBS on November 11th.
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Culture
Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is accepting submissions for 2025 Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize and Creative Baltimore Fund grant program
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) has announced that applications are now open for the 2025 Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize as well as the Creative Baltimore Fund FY 2025 grant program.
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) has announced that applications are now open for the 2025 Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize as well as the Creative Baltimore Fund FY 2025 grant program.
2025 Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize
The Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize awards $30,000 to a visual artist or visual artist collaborators living
and working in the Baltimore region.
Established by BOPA at Artscape in 2006, it is one of the most prestigious visual art prizes in the region. The application deadline is November 15, 2024. Semifinalists will be announced in December, and in January, five finalists will be selected to exhibit their work in the Walters Art Museum, April to July 2025.
Information sessions
BOPA is hosting two information sessions — Tuesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 7 — to help
artists plan their applications and answer questions. Both sessions will take place over Zoom.
Visit promotion and arts for the link, more information, and how to submit.
About the Creative Baltimore Fund
The Creative Baltimore Fund is a grant made annually by the City of Baltimore from its general fund that is
administered by the Baltimore City Arts Council (BOPA). The program awards funds to qualified artists and
arts and cultural organizations based in Baltimore City. The Creative Baltimore Fund has two grant programs:
General Operating Support (GOS), which provides core support for established arts or cultural organizations,
and the Mayor’s Individual Artist Award.
GOS grants to organizations range from $3,000–$10,000. The Mayor’s Individual Artist Project Support grant
will award 10 artists with ti3,000 awards. Grant awards will be paid 100% at time of contract signing and
processing. The application deadline is December 2, 2024.
To support prospective grantees, BOPA is hosting virtual office hours every Tuesday and Sunday during the
application period.
Visit promotion and arts to get the Zoom link, learn more about the Creative Baltimore Fund program, and how to apply.
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Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Culture
3 Chambers Fest celebrates the fusion of hip-hop, martial arts, and anime culture
The full schedule is now live for the 2nd annual 3 Chambers Fest, taking place in downtown Wilmington from December 4-7th.
The full schedule is now live for the 2nd annual 3 Chambers Fest, taking place in downtown Wilmington from December 4-7th at Jengo’s Playhouse, The Eagle’s Dare, Union Station Auditorium at Cape Fear Community College, Waterline Brewing Company, and Sokoto House.
3 Chambers Fest schedule
Advance screening of KILLA HILL
The opening night event on Wednesday, December 4th at Jengo’s Playhouse will be an exclusive advance screening of KILLA HILL, a true crime documentary series that chronicles the escalating murder rate fueled by the crack epidemic which defined the notorious Park Hill projects of Staten Island and home of the Wu-Tang Clan.
There will be a post-screening discussion with director Gerald K. Barclay and special guests that will be announced soon.
Wu-Tang Wednesday Opening Night Party
Also Wednesday, there will be a Wu-Tang Wednesday Opening Night Party at The Eagle’s Dare with 9th Prince of Killarmy (and brother of Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA) as the guest DJ immediately following the KILLA HILL screening.
Immersive movie experience Can I Kick It
On Thursday, December 5, Shaolin Jazz will bring their immersive movie experience Can I Kick It? to Union Station Auditorium at Cape Fear Community College, remixing the soundtrack live to Berry Gordy’s THE LAST DRAGON.
Taimak, star of THE LAST DRAGON, will also be in attendance for a post-film discussion and meet & greet. There will also be live martial arts demonstrations over hip-hop tracks by The Pantherz Demo Team and Cequence Henry.
Legendary hip-hop artist and battle rapper Mickey Factz
On Friday, December 6, legendary hip-hop artist and battle rapper Mickey Factz will headline the hip-hop concert at Waterline Brewing Co. that will feature Landon Wordswell, JustoMobbin, S. Dot Lee, and MindsOne. The show will be hosted by Fuzz Jaxx and will also have a video game lounge, vendors, and a food truck.
Saturday, December 7
QiGong session with Shihan White Owl at Sokoto House
On Saturday, December 7, there will be a QiGong session with Shihan White Owl at Sokoto House.
Masterclass on the business of hip-hop with Mickey Factz
Later in the afternoon there will be a masterclass on the business of hip-hop with Mickey Factz at Jengo’s Playhouse.
Anime Night
Then in the evening, Anime Night will close out the festival at Waterline Brewing Co. featuring Blerd comedy sets by LouisTee, Wills Maxwell, and Ebony Angelique. There will be live music performances by Real Life Party, Sheme of Gold, SkyBlew, MoeSOS DC and Kiko Blac. Also at Anime Night, there will be a cosplay competition and a video game tournament.
More information
The full schedule and lineup is available at 3chambers.com/schedule.
All-access passes are on sale while they last at www.3chambers.com. Single event tickets are also on sale at 3chambers.com/schedule.
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Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
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