Borough President Richards Presents: Queens Live!

A musical tribute to the beloved hip hop pioneer Biz Markie, featuring Biz Markie’s longtime DJ, Cutmaster Cool V, with Emcee Ralph McDaniels.

Biz Markie, dubbed the “Clown Prince of Hip Hop” who passed away on July 16, 2021 at age 57, was born Marcel Theo Hall in Harlem in 1964, before moving to Long Island in his teens. He began his music career in 1985 as a beat box for Roxanne Shante of the legendary Juice Crew, based in Queensbridge. The Juice Crew was a dazzling collective, led by producer Marley Marl,  featuring eventual greats Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, MC Shan, and The Biz himself. By the end of the 90’s Biz Markie had become ingrained within hip-hop, and beyond. The Beastie Boys featured him on three of their releases; he was sampled by The Rolling Stones, and appeared in movies and television, including Men in Black II, and Yo Gabba Gabba! At the height of his fame, dolls with his likeness, cereal boxes, and actions figures became collectible items.

For over three decades, heavyweight hip-hop producer and mixologist Cutmaster Cool-V has bought unmatched talent and work ethic to the music industry. Born in Elizabeth NJ, he’s touched numerous gold and platinum records by an array of artists; including Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap and Technotronic. As a member of the Queens’ Bridge based Juice Crew All-Stars, he began working side by side with Hip Hop groundbreaking radio personality the late DJ Mr. Magic, in the late eighties. He is one of three DJ’s who are among the first to command the stage at the historical NAACP Awards. Cool-V also counts musical production credits on The Oprah Winfrey Show to his thorough repertoire of accomplishments. Cool-V served as Biz Markie’s road-manager while simultaneously DJ’ing and MC’ing on year-round tours around the world. He is currently on tour with Nickelodeon’s Yo Gabba Gabba LivE.

“Uncle” Ralph McDaniels is a pioneer in bringing video to Hip-Hop culture. The New York City native co-created and co-hosted Video Music Box, a show that would help bring some of the top names in Hip-Hop, and their music, to TV screens across the world. Subsequently, McDaniels would use his connections and visual talent to become one of Rap’s top video directors. He amassed over 400 credits including videos for Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Big Daddy Kane, Gang Starr, Biz Markie, Black Moon, and countless others.