The Best Of Cold Chillin'

Although he's known primarily for the crossover hit "Just a Friend," to categorize Biz Markie's career on the basis of that song would be wholly unjust. This Cold Chillin' compilation sets the record straight. As a member of the stylistically diverse Juice Crew, the formidable clique that included Big Daddy Kane's slick debonairness, Roxanne Shante's defiant b-girl stance, and the tales of hard-knock raconteur Kool G. Rap, Biz Markie's clown-prince character more than held his own. Despite the fact that he's maintained a low profile in recent years, a fact that was probably hastened by his losing a landmark sampling case to Gilbert O'Sullivan, Biz Markie's manic energy and unbridled persona paved the way for distinctive MCs like Ol' Dirty Bastard and Busta Rhymes. His charisma certainly helped him get over his legal troubles, but the Biz's deft beatboxing skills, humorous storytelling, and freestyle finesse are all clear on undisputed classics like "Nobody Beats the Biz," "Vapors," and "Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz." Had "This Is Something for the Radio," and "Just Rhymin' with the Biz" (a Big Daddy Kane track, but a classic Biz appearance nonetheless) shown up here, this compilation would be definitive. In spite of those omissions, this fun and funky career retrospective succeeds in giving credit where it is due.