Biz Markie was a hip-hop legend. There are just no two ways around it. And unlike many other legendary rappers, there hasn’t really been anyone to really mimic what Biz Markie was able to do, especially when you think about a song like “Just a Friend.” Now, it appears Biz Markie is getting the documentary treatment in the upcoming film, “All Up in the Biz.”
As seen in the trailer for “All Up in the Biz,” the doc aims to shine a light on Biz Markie and his importance in the history of hip-hop. From a young kid growing up in foster care to a pioneer in the music world, Biz Markie has left a legacy that can’t be replicated. He’s one of the few hip-hop artists from the ‘80s to actually transcend the genre and break through into true pop star status.
The documentary is directed by Sacha Jenkins, who has a long career working with Showtime on projects like this. Previously, the filmmaker worked on projects like “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men,” “Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James,” “Burn Motherfucker, Burn,” and “Word is Bond.”
“All Up in the Biz” debuts on Paramount+ and Showtime on August 11. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
Featuring never before seen footage, musical interludes, animation, puppetry, and interviews with Biz Markie and other prominent figures in hip hop – from Fat Joe to Nick Cannon to Tracy Morgan – ALL UP IN THE BIZ is a heartwarming portrait of how one underdog’s dreams – fortified by an unwavering determination and a wicked sense of humor – would come true inside the world of hip hop and far beyond. The film traces how Markie created a lane for himself in hip hop while also helping his friends, many of whom (Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, E.P.M.D.) would become legends in their own right.