Let's conclude with a really great single by Biz Markie that isn't featured on any of his albums, "...And I Rock," produced by none other than DJ Premier. It came out in 2001, on Next Level Recordings. That's a Japanese label, and they reason they have it is that it was originally recorded for an original compilation they put together called Next Level Vol. 1 (to date, there is no Vol. 2) that features both American and Japanese Hip-Hop artists. There were some other good songs on there, including the original debut of Lord Finesse's "Down For the Underground," so you might want to track down the whole thing. But even with stiff competition like that, Biz's song is a highlight.
And that's an important distinction to make, because not every Biz appearance is the joyful masterpiece you might expect. I was originally planning to make a post about the Biz Markie guest spot disappointments, discussing things like the the feeling I got opening up the latest Beastie Boys album, seeing the Biz's name in the liner notes, only to finally hear the song and discover his contribution is just a vocal snippet of a live performance or some background ad-libs. You know, depending which Beasties albums with a false-promising Biz appearance we're talking about, because there were several over the years. You know, it's one thing when it's obviously going to be a skit, like when Biz is just one of many voices who appear on the series of brief "Phone Check"s on MC Lyte's Lytro album which were obviously not going to be actual songs, but it's an entirely different experience when you buy a DJ Riz 12" because the B-side is a track called "Riz Meets Biz," only to find out that it's just another telephone skit. I decided against it because Biz Week is meant to celebrate, not bum us out further; but suffice it to say there are enough let downs, like Def Squad's "Just Rhyming With Biz" where, no, Biz does not in fact rhyme with the Squad, to bear in mind they're not all good, so we should appreciate them when they are.
And this one's a treasure that belongs in everybody's crates. There's a decent B-side, too: "Interview" by Sadat X. And no, it's not a phone conversation masquerading as a song, but a tight production by Da Beatminerz, also from Next Level Vol. 1. It had actually been previously released on his famous Wild Cowboys album years before, so I don't know why the heck Next Level put it on their thing. Even the instrumental had been released on 12" before. So "Interview" is a cool song, but the Biz is why we're here.
This is really the period where fans and artists alike were sitting by the phone, waiting for Premier to call with a new track. Each one was a killer, he was pairing up with the hottest artists, and it was before he started spreading himself too thin and started letting some sub-par beats into MCs' hands. And this is a perfect example of everything we wanted: instantly catchy, funky loops with slick but not too complicated scratch hooks. Don't let the title fool you, this isn't some electric guitar-laden experiment with Ted Nugent or anything. Just tight drums, a funky little pager sample and big, big horns.
And Biz is just kicking light, freestyle rhymes, including a story about battling Superman that feels like a throwback to the days of "Rapper's Delight" and "Jam On It."
"Me and Superman, we had a fight;
I punched him in the face with all my might.
Punched him so hard he fell to the floor,
Picked him up and ragged him some more.
Turned around and who did I see?
It was Lois Lane, she was lookin' at me.
She said, 'yo, Biz Markie, you are the best,
'Cause you knocked the S off Superman's chest.'
She took my hand and led me to the room;
We smoked three joints and cracked a quart of brew.
I looked at her and thought she was fine;
I knew the deal: what was on her mind.
We took off our clothes and clicked off the light,
And rocked the bed 'till the sky was bright.
When it came to the break of day,
She said, 'yo, Biz Markie, why don't you stay?'
I cooked her some breakfast and orange juice;
That's one thing I couldn't refuse.
After I ate, I kissed her goodbye.
She said, 'woo, Biz Markie, you're one Hell of a guy!"
But this isn't just a collab between Biz and Preemo; verse two features another MC, someone called Black Indian. Who's that? He's a rapper from Washington, probably best known as a member of the jazzy rap crew Opus Akoben. He had a brief solo outing on MCA Records at the time. And this was when Biz was connected to MCA through his membership of The Flip Squad All Star DJs; so that's probably how they came work together. Anyway, Black Indian and the Opus guys were pretty dope, but on here, he just feels a little boring and out of place. I'm sure everybody would've preferred constant Biz from beginning to the end of the song with no one getting in between him and Premier, but oh well. He doesn't ruin it or anything.
However it came about, this Black Indian song is pretty great, too. It wasn't released on 12", but the album was released on CD and vinyl, so you can you can get it on any format so long as you're willing to spring for a whole album to add just one song to your collection. I mean, the rest of the album's alright, too, so it's not like you're buying trash, but it's kinda forgettable overall. Songs like "Hoe Card" and "3 Strikes" are kinda limp gangsta material, but the lead single/ title track and "Fight Song" perk up when they get a little more energetic.
But the crown jewel is easily "Makin' Cash Money," where Biz is also the co-producer, alongside somebody named Monty. It loops that unforgettable, bassy Herbie Hankcock riff that Digital Underground used for "Underwater Rhymes," Busy Bee used for "Kiss My Ass," etc. So you know, it's just a tried and true, classic old school groove, which is exactly the kind of track you'd want for a Biz guest appearance. You know, some of his other stuff is a little more street, but this is definitely Biz's kind of song ("together we be rockin' most definitely"), and yes he gets a proper verse, not just some background stuff or a silly hook: "I get cheers like Norm but don't drink no beer; soon to be elected MC of the year. I'm not Billy Dee, or R. Kelly, or Markie Dee, or B.I.G. I'm a little somethin' like Heavy D, 'cause the girls, the girls, they love me!"
So if you were already hip to "...And I Rock," there's another fresh Biz Markie joint you can track down. And if you haven't already got it, stop sleeping immediately. My copy is clearly a promo, but there's also a more widely distributed retail version with a sticker cover and the same track-listing: vocal and instrumental versions of both songs. It really should be on one of his Greatest Hits albums, but for some reason it's not, so...
R.I.P.
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