Marcel Theo Hall  (April 8, 1964 – July 16, 2021), [1]  better known by his stage name  Biz Markie , was an American  rapper , singer, DJ, record producer, actor, comedian, and writer. He was best known for his 1989 single " Just a Friend ", which became a  Top 40  hit in several countries. In 2008, "Just a Friend" made No. 100 on  VH1 's list of the 100 greatest hip hop songs of all time. [2]