Marcel Theo Hall, better known as Biz Markie, has reportedly been hospitalized for weeks battling an illness caused by Type II Diabetes complications.
What We Know:
- The 56-year-old hip hop legend is being treated in a Maryland-area hospital for the illness. His current condition is unclear. His manager, Jenni Izumi, released a statement. “Recently, Biz was hospitalized due to non-COVID complications suffered from a history of Type II Diabetes. He is receiving the best care from an amazing team of medical professionals and we remain positive about the outcome. We are grateful for the concern from his fans and industry peers but respectfully request privacy for Biz and his family at this time.”
- Markie was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in 2011 and opened up about it in 2014 when he had to lose nearly 150 pounds to get his health back on track. In an interview with ABC, Markie expressed, “I wanted to live. Since I have to be a diabetic, if I didn’t make the changes, it was going to make the diabetes worse.” He stated how the doctors were straightforward with him about the possibilities if he didn’t make adequate changes. “They said I could lose my feet. They said I could lose my body parts. A lot of things could happen.”
- Markie’s close friend, Will Smith, urged him to endure the journey to health for years, even making a bet on the set of Men in Black 2 to encourage him. Other industry peers, such as Ice-T and Missy Elliott, have recently sent the rapper prayers and well wishes as he battles the illness. Artists have taken to Twitter and Instagram to share their memories with “The Clown Prince of Hip Hop” and encourage their fans and fellow hip hop lovers to pray for the legend as well.
Praying For Biz. Love You Man. https://t.co/7oj5nr0vzb
— 2🗑2🗑 (@questlove) July 25, 2020
No other information regarding Markie’s condition has been released. We will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers as he battles the illness.
