Biz Markie, born Marcel Theo Hall, was an influential American rapper, beatboxer, and DJ known for his comedic lyrical style and distinctive baritone voice. His most significant contribution to music history was his hit single "Just a Friend" (1989), which is considered a classic in hip-hop circles. Markie's music style was characterized by playful, humorous narratives and innovative beatboxing. His use of samples in his work led to a landmark legal case, "Grand Upright Music, Ltd. vs. Warner Bros. Records Inc.", which significantly impacted sampling laws in music.