News Rapper Biz Markie, whose hit ‘Just a Friend’ became a pop culture staple, dies at 57 July 16, 2021 Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY Comments Off on Rapper Biz Markie, whose hit ‘Just a Friend’ became a pop culture staple, dies at 57 Biz Markie died Friday at 57. The rapper-producer-actor became a pop culture staple following his 1989 hit "Just a Friend."