Farewell to Biz Markie. The beloved rapper passed away in hospice care on July 17 at the age of 57, after suffering from Type 2 Diabetes. In June 2021, rumors swirled that the popular emcee had died. However, his representative made a statement that Biz, whose birth name was Marcel Hall, suffered a stroke and was admitted into hospice. Biz was best known for his Beat Box skills and his hit single, “Just A Friend.” Born in Harlem, he grew up on Long Island, and was affectionately known as the Clown Prince of Hip Hop. Said LL Cool J on a video he posted on social media, “I’m glad we got to do what we got to do towards the game. Love you Bro.” Our condolences go out to Biz’s wife and his family. In other sad news, according to TMZ, Keyshia Cole’s mother Frankie, tragically died of an alleged drug overdose, celebrating her 61st birthday on July 18 in Oakland, California, after suffering a relapse.
Bounce TV will be premiering its newest series, Johnson, on Sunday, Aug. 1, with back-to-back episodes. Centering on four life-long best friends in Atlanta, all of whom share the same last name (Johnson), the series revolves around what happens when the four guys find themselves in vastly different places in their lives and it begins to threaten their bond. Produced in partnership between Eric C. Rhone and Cedric the Entertainer’s A Bird & A Bear Entertainment and Deji LaRay and Thomas Q. Jones Midnight Train Productions, the series will feature D.L. Hughley and spotlight an ensemble class that includes LaRay, Jones, Philip Smithey and Derrex Brady.
Tongues are wagging that Mary J. Blige was spotted at Bylander Steel Beach (co-owned by Ian Duke), enjoying the West Harlem Lobster Roll and Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio by Mary J. Blige. Mary recently released a new song “Hourglass” heard in her new Amazon Prime documentary Mary J. Blige’s My Life, now streaming. The piano ballad was co-written by Teddy Riley, Andy Murray, Benjamin Wright, and ROMANS and produced by the latter. It finds Blige probing about what-ifs and how regrets only stand in the way of living.
Former NBA star/coach Derek Fisher and former VH1 Basketball Wives cast member Gloria Govan got married on July 18 at Cielo Farms in Malibu, California. According to People Magazine, the newlyweds got engaged in April 2018 after dating for three years and were forced to delay their wedding in April 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Govan, wore a gown by Monique Lhuillier. Her bridesmaids’ were dressed by Dessy Collection, while Fisher’s groomsmen looked sharp in suits by Octavius Perry. “For Derek and me, our wedding has been about uniting and a blending of families,” Govan told People. This is the second marriage for both the bride and the groom. Ironically, they are both parents of twins, which Fisher has with his previous wife, Candace Fisher, and Govan has with her previous husband, former NBA player, Matt Barnes. Fisher also has two other children………
