Following a private, star-studded exhibition in Manhattan held in honor of what would have been the hip-hop legend's birthday, the Biz Markie Estate officially announces the public release of SELECT CUTS — a limited-edition print release featuring rare, foundational photographs of Biz Markie taken in 1986 by legendary photographer George DuBose. The release is now available through The Biz Markie Experience, the estate's official platform for archival works and collector access.
Held on April 8 at Invite Only Studios — NYC's premier recording studio destination for artists, record labels and creatives — the exhibition marked the debut of The Biz Markie Experience, a new platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating Biz Markie's life, music, and cultural legacy. The evening featured more than 50 estate-sanctioned objects from Biz's personal archive, many of which had never before been shown publicly, and culminated in the unveiling of SELECT CUTS, a historic photographic work built from DuBose's early studio portraits of Biz captured during the era of Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz.
Attendees included hip-hop notables Redman, Marley Marl, DJ Scratch, Ralph McDaniels, Johnny Nunez, DJ Spinna, Rashad Ringo Smith, and Kool DJ Red Alert, among others.
Captured at a pivotal early moment in his career, the photographs in SELECT CUTS document Marcel Hall at the point where his visual identity was first taking shape. In December, Tara Hall traveled to Cologne, Germany, to work directly from DuBose's archive, reviewing and selecting images from this early body of work. Curated by Tara Hall, the release brings together 12 photographs from the 1986 session into a single structured work — not presented individually, but as a complete visual statement.
DuBose, who resides in Cologne, is widely recognized as one of the defining image-makers of hip-hop's golden era. His work — more than 50 projects achieving gold or platinum status — helped shape the visual identity of a generation, spanning icons for Eric B. & Rakim, Run DMC, and X Clan.
Select works in the release were produced with master printer Beth Schiffer, using archival pigment processes on museum-grade fine art paper. The larger-format canvas work was additionally printed by Lucky Singh. Ahead of the unveiling, DuBose traveled from Cologne to New York City to personally sign prints.
"This release is about honoring the moment where everything began to take shape. These images have been part of the archive for decades. Presenting them this way allows us to share that history as a complete body of work." — Tara Hall
Inside The Experience
In Conversation with Tara Hall
Widow of Biz Markie, curator of The Biz Markie Experience, and steward of the Biz Markie Estate.
What inspired you to create The Biz Markie Experience as a living archive, and why was this the right moment to unveil it?
The inspiration to create the Biz Markie Experience was created by Biz himself! Biz collected many items and saved almost everything he ever had his entire career dating back to before he had a record deal. Rhyme books, magazine and newspaper articles, flyers from the early '80's, Atari consoles and Barbie dolls and train sets are just a few of what he has.
Ever since I've known Biz I've been organizing, categorizing, digitizing and preserving his collectables. In doing so, I've realized Biz has the quintessential Golden Era collection that should be seen and not just boxed up in a storage unit. It's been 5 years since Biz's passing. I'm finally comfortable with sharing his memorabilia for the world to see.
As someone who knew Biz so personally, what do you hope people feel when they walk through this collection?
Anyone who truly knew Biz, knows that Biz was a big kid at heart. Eternally 12 years old. I'd like people to lose themselves in nostalgia. To be transported to a much simpler, happier time in their lives. To also remind themselves that their inner child still exists.
With so many rare and never-before-seen items on display, how did you decide which parts of Biz Markie's story were most important to share with the public?
Biz will always be known for his hit songs "Just A Friend" and "Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz." The notebooks and loose leaf papers he penned those lyrics were easy to decide upon.
The other items I chose to display, like his last wallet that had his black card alongside his original food stamps, spoke to how humble he remained. If you never met him, I want people to see what kind of human we are celebrating. A very "down to earth" individual.
The jewelry, clothing and sneakers are basically hip-hop regalia. You hadn't "made it" without these signature items in your repertoire back in the early '80's. Biz was just as big a star as the best of them. He understood "marketing" back then — thus the Biz hats! These were trend setting items. And Biz wore them proudly!
Biz Markie was beloved not only for his music, but for his humor, warmth, and originality. How do you think this exhibition captures the full spirit of who he was?
Nothing can capture his full warmth, spirit and humor, but there are many items in the collection that will make you giggle — like Trailer Trash Barbie, his Six Flags membership card he kept current as an adult, and his boating license. Biz's brother told me a funny story about how Biz wasn't able to receive an auto license when he was young but somehow he finessed the folks at the DMV to issue him a boating license instead. He never had a boat or knew how to drive one, but he was cheesing in the photo of that card.
The unveiling happened on Biz's birthday. What does this day represent for you personally and for his legacy?
Biz's birthday, 4/8/1964, and the anniversary of his death, 7/16/21, are now considered "Days of Remembrance" for me. Instead of being sad, I've chosen to celebrate with great joy a man very special to me and our daughter. I'm very aware of the impact Biz had on his fans, friends and family, so they must feel the same way I do. Biz was all about fun, laughter, having a great time, connecting folks and taking big risks. I'd like to keep that going. That is his legacy. I'd like for you to feel joy when you think of Biz. I'm the steward of his legacy. It's up to me to set that tone. By no means can I do this by myself. I'm very appreciative of all the support I receive from everyone who understands who I am and how Biz would want to be remembered.
The historic George DuBose portraits take us back to the very beginning of Biz's rise. Why was it important to highlight this early chapter?
Beginnings are always important. Where it all started for Biz was right there. That young man was fearless. He had a lot to express in every frame. George captured the sheer essence of a young man about to win the world over with his charm and talent. A once in a lifetime guy. When I went through the outtakes of that photo session, I chose the loudest frames. When someone sees this body of work, I want them to see a young Black man who is bold, larger than life, and has something to say and prove. Never scared.
Hindsight shows that Biz was not to be denied. He made it. He never fell into the norms. He never drank, never smoked, never did drugs. This young man was empowering and never lost himself throughout his life and career.
Biz's impact continues to reach across generations of music, DJ culture, and hip-hop history. What can younger audiences learn from his legacy today?
To take risks. Be yourself. Work hard. Know that you are enough and most of all, have fun.
A portion of the proceeds supports the Biz Markie Just A Friend Foundation. Tell us more about the foundation's mission.
Biz lost his mother very early in his life. After that, he ended up in the foster system and was placed with the most amazing family — The Parkers on Noble Street in Brentwood, Long Island. If it weren't for that family, I don't think we would have ever had Biz Markie. Because of the love he received from them his entire life, and now me and my daughter's life, is why the mission of Biz Markie's Just A Friend Foundation is to provide support and resources to children and families in the foster care system and those experiencing food deprivation. Through our partnerships and programs we aim to improve the lives of these vulnerable children and give them the opportunity to thrive.
Some of our partners include Harlem Dowling-Westside Center, where they named their pantry "The Biz Markie Emergency Food Pantry," located at 2139 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., New York, New York. Every Friday, more than 250 families receive fresh groceries there, along with turkeys during the holidays. We also partner with America's Gleaned Seafood, distributing fresh seafood directly from fishermen's boats to our communities. We distribute diapers and coats to families throughout the country. We even host Easter egg hunts in different cities in the spring. At the end of the year, we host our Merry Bizmas Party, where we provide gifts, food, and fun for the children.
Visit www.bizmarkiesjustafriend.org to learn more about how you can donate or volunteer. All are welcome. All is appreciated, and all is in the spirit of honoring the great Biz Markie.
SELECT CUTS is available now through The Biz Markie Experience at www.thebizmarkieexperience.com. A portion of proceeds supports the Biz Markie Just A Friend Foundation.