‘Being a Friend’: The Obamas Sent Letter of Condolences To Biz Markie’s Wife

Last month, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported the death of the legendary hip-hop icon, rapper, and DJ, Biz Markie, real name, Marcel Theo Hall, as fans and his peers in hip-hop mourned him. Funeral services for the rapper took place on Aug. 2 at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.

As people celebrated his life yesterday, TMZ reported that former President Barack Obama and the former first lady, Michelle Obama wrote a letter of condolences for the rapper and sent it to Biz Markie’s wife, Tara Davis.

#UPDATE: Biz Markie’s Wife Says Obamas Wrote Letter of Condolences After Death https://t.co/a5nPtDmddI

— TMZ (@TMZ) August 2, 2021

At the funeral service for the rapper, Davis shared that piece of news as she gave remarks about the wave of friends, celebrities, fans, and executives who sent their condolences her way after her beloved husband’s death. The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy at the service Monday as scores of friends, fans, and celebrities paid their respect to the hip-hop legend. BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported that Biz Markie died on July 16 from complications of Type II diabetes after suffering a stroke.

The emcee, who was 57 at his death, was born in Harlem but was raised on Long Island. He was also an accomplished DJ often hired to spin at iconic clubs like the Roxy and the Fun House.

Biz Markie felt at home behind the turntables, but it was his mentor, super-producer Marley Marl of The Juice Crew fame, who was responsible for seminal rappers like Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, MC Shan, and a host of others, who gave the rapper his confidence on the mic. He dropped his first album in the early 80s, but his 1988 breakout hit “Vapors” and “Just a Friend” put him on the map.