Biz Markie Documentary Coming To Showtime On Hip-Hop’s 50th Birthday

A documentary about the life and career of the late rapper Biz Markie is coming to Showtime on the same day as hip-hop’s 50th birthday.

The Sacha Jenkins-directed documentary All Up In The Biz, premiering Friday, August 11, will showcase the life, career, and cultural impact of the legendary rapper, Vibe reports. It will include exclusive footage, interviews, and puppetry to tell the story of the certified “Clown Prince of Rap.”

Fat Joe, Nick Cannon and Tracy Morgan will make guest appearances along with fellow rap veterans Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels from Run-DMC, Doug E. Fresh, and Big Daddy Kane.

The movie is the latest in Jenkins’ library of music documentaries including Word Is Bond, Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men and Bitchin’: The Sound And Fury of Rick James.

“Biz Markie is the pure essence of hip-hop. He believed in, he lived it, he harnessed its powers,” Jenkins said.

“Most people don’t know that he used those powers to power up some of the culture’s greatest poets and then some. I was fortunate to meet with Biz when he was alive so to have the opportunity to bring him back to life now that he isn’t here…it’s a special film.”

Born in Harlem in 1964, Biz rose to prominence in the emerging hip-hop scene of the 1980s. He got his start beatboxing for Roxanne Shanté before embarking on his own rap career with his 1988 album debut, Goin’ Off.

Biz Markie is best known for the comedic flair he brought to hip-hop and his popular singles, “Vapors,” “Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz,” “Nobody Beats the Biz,” and his signature “Just a Friend.” The last is often featured in films, television commercials, and music samples—including Mario’s 2002 remake.

The Juice Crew member died July 2021 from Type II diabetes. A street was named in his honor in Long Island, New York, months after his death.