Biz's Baddest Beats

The influential career of the portly Biz Markie is often overshadowed by the success of "Just a Friend," his hilarious 1989 single about puppy love gone wrong. But as a founding Juice Crew member and the legal defendant in rap's first major "sample-clearance" case, Biz had a considerable hand in shaping musical history. This compilation spans his career's glory years, starting with 1987's groundbreaking singles ("Nobody Beats the Biz," "Pickin' Boogers," and a guest spot on Big Daddy Kane's "Just Rhymin' with Biz") and ending with 1993's "All Samples Cleared," a witty poke at his aforementioned legal troubles. The emphasis here is on 1988 and '89, when Biz was in his best shape (lyrically, not physically) and crafting goofy rhymes about boogers, Jell-O, and bad breath. "Just a Friend" is included as well, and despite its platinum status it doesn't manage to outshine Biz and producer Marley Marl's other funky gems.