Downtown Music Publishing Expands Hip Hop Catalog With Biz Markie Deal

Sharing below the announcement from Downtown Music Publishing on its new deal to represent the catalog of Biz Markie, including name, image, and likeness rights alongside publishing administration and sync licensing.

This partnership reflects continued momentum around the preservation and growth of Biz's legacy. From a catalog sampled more than 1,500 times to the recent debut of The Biz Markie Experience, a living archive dedicated to his life and work, Biz remains one of hip-hop's most influential and recognizable figures - with a voice and impact that continue to reach across genres and generations.

More on Biz Markie Estate: https://shorefire.com/roster/biz-markie-estate

May 28th, 2026 - Downtown Music Publishing (DMP) has announced a new deal to represent the catalog of hip hop pioneer Biz Markie, including representation of the late artist's name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights alongside publishing administration and sync licensing.

Biz Markie's catalog and associated rights are managed under the direction of Tara Hall, widow of Marcel Hall (Biz Markie) and executor of the estate. Recorded music assets are managed through Revilo Records, with distribution and catalog services provided in partnership with Rhino Entertainment and Warner Music Group. Publishing interests are represented through Surrey Lane Publishing and administered by Downtown Music Publishing, while The Biz Markie Experience oversees name, image, and likeness (NIL), intellectual property, and experiential initiatives, with administration handled by Downtown Music Publishing.

The agreement marks a significant addition to Downtown's growing roster of influential and genre-defining artists, underscoring the company's commitment to honoring and expanding the reach of cultural figures who transcend categories and eras.

"Biz Markie was a truly original producer, performer, and cultural force," said Jedd Katrancha, Chief Creative Officer, Downtown Music Publishing. "We're honored to be entrusted with preserving and amplifying his legacy."

Best known for the timeless hit "Just a Friend," Biz Markie became one of music's most beloved personalities, celebrated for his humor, inventiveness, and creativity. Initially underestimated by the industry, the track went on to become a global pop phenomenon that continues to resonate across generations. His work not only helped define the golden age of hip hop but also opened doors for artists across genres.

The announcement arrives on the 40th anniversary of Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz, the 1986 debut that introduced Biz Markie and his unmistakable style. Four decades later, the new partnership with Tara Hall, executor of his estate, and Surrey Lane Publishing marks the beginning of a new chapter and a renewed commitment to elevating Biz Markie's legacy for generations to come.

''There's a longer story behind this, but one day I asked Biz, 'Who do you think I am to you?' His reply runs through my mind every day. Biz answered, 'You are my future.' Going through his music, photographs, and videos from the beginning of his career has been incredibly meaningful. As we approach the 40th anniversary of Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz, I'm excited to share these pieces of his story and celebrate the creativity and spirit that made Biz who he was. In many ways, I'm creating a blueprint for how to honor a legend while finding new ways for his work to live on for future generations. Biz preserved his legacy, and now it's my job to protect it." - Tara Hall, Widow of Marcel Hall and Executor of The Biz Markie Estate

The Biz Markie agreement reflects a period of continued growth for Downtown Music Publishing, whose catalog has seen increasing success across sync, film and TV, and brand campaigns. It builds on DMP's long-standing work representing some of the most iconic and storied catalogs in music, including those of John Lennon & Yoko Ono, George Gershwin and Louis Armstrong. As part of a broader global platform supporting more than 50 million music assets, Downtown pairs legacy stewardship with innovative creative services to ensure that foundational works across all generations and genres continue to find new audiences and commercial success.

About Downtown Music

Joining Virgin Music Group in 2026, Downtown Music's global ecosystem supports creators, rights holders, and their partners to manage their music as a business and get paid fairly for their work. Across its core divisions - Publishing, Distribution and Artist & Label Services, and CD Baby - Downtown collectively serves business clients, creators & artists in 145 countries.

About Biz Markie

Marcel Theo Hall, known worldwide as Biz Markie, was a pioneering hip hop artist, producer, DJ, and cultural icon whose originality and humor helped define the golden age of hip hop while transcending genre and generation.

Emerging from Long Island, New York in the mid-1980s, Biz Markie first gained recognition through his association with the Juice Crew before releasing his debut album Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz in 1986. The project introduced his unmistakable style, blending beatboxing, storytelling, and comedic timing in a way that challenged traditional expectations of rap music and expanded its creative boundaries.

He achieved global recognition with his 1989 hit "Just a Friend," a record that was initially underestimated but went on to become one of the most enduring and beloved songs in popular music. Its off-key sincerity, emotional honesty, and unconventional delivery helped cement Biz Markie as a singular voice in music history, resonating across decades and audiences worldwide. In addition to his five studio album releases, plus compilations and singles, Biz Markie's music has been sampled over 1,500 times, ranging from Wu-Tang Clan to the Rolling Stones, and he collaborated with Jay-Z, Nas, the Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Will Smith, Slick Rick and beyond.

Beyond his recordings, Biz Markie was widely celebrated as a true entertainer and cultural force. A master beatboxer, DJ, and performer, he brought an infectious sense of joy and authenticity to everything he touched. His influence extended into television, film, and pop culture, where his personality and presence made him one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in hip hop. He appeared in films and television shows including Yo Gabba Gabba!, Men In Black II, In Living Color, Empire, black-ish, SpongeBob SquarePants, Adventure Time, as well as in music videos and commercials. All Up In The Biz, a feature-length documentary film about his life and career directed by Sacha Jenkins, debuted in 2023. Biz Markie's work helped shape the evolution of hip hop as both an art form and a global cultural movement. His willingness to embrace humor, vulnerability, and experimentation opened doors for future generations of artists across genres, redefining what it meant to be a performer in modern music.

Today, his legacy is stewarded by the Biz Markie Estate, led by his widow Tara Hall, alongside partners across recorded music, publishing, and cultural initiatives. Through music releases, archival projects, exhibitions, new media and The Biz Markie Experience, a living archive dedicated to his music and impact launched in spring 2026, his work continues to reach new audiences while deepening appreciation among longtime fans.

As both a pioneer and a personality, Biz Markie remains a symbol of creativity without boundaries, an artist whose impact continues to grow, inspire, and resonate around the world.