Lyricist Lounge featuring Biz Markie and Masta Ace

The legendary Biz Markie brings more than 26 years of solid hip-hop acumen and an overwhelming fan-base that stretches from New York City to Japan and Europe. At the age of 14, Marcel Hall dazzled his neighborhood under the alias of Biz Markie. His music scene debut began in 1985 as a beat box for Roxanne Shante of the Juice Crew. From then Biz began constructing his own destiny in the mystifying world of rap and hip-hop. Now 26 years older and immensely wiser, Biz continues to be universally praised by the ever-fickle and unforgiving hip-hop industry. No easy feat to accomplish, Biz is the definition of longevity and has managed to remain one of the most notable artists and DJs in the industry.


Masta Ace has always managed to remain current and totally classic in the exact same breath. As one of the most prolific lyricists ever to emerge from Brooklyn, NY, his albums are like mini-movements. In his 1988 lyrical debut, he took a stand alongside Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap and Craig G on hip-hop’s most important posse cut, ‘The Symphony.’ His first full length album, the Marley Marl produced Take A Look Around (1990), established the emcee as a sophisticated voice from the ghetto. Slaughtahouse (1993) was an ingenious conversation with hip-hop, as Ace took on the entire gangsta rap genre and in 1995, Sittin’ On Chrome unified American car culture. In 2001 Ace released the epic Disposable Arts and returned in 2004 with the highly acclaimed, A Long Hot Summer. Ace is currently involved in special projects like EMC and the A&E group with talented Boston veteran EdoG.