Biz Markie’s death at age 57 has undoubtedly impacted countless fans and fellow entertainers who’ve grown close to the old-school emcee and beatbox pioneer over the years. One such celebrity is Fat Joe, who has been a longtime friend of the “Just A Friend” rapper, born Marcel Theo Hall. Speaking with TMZ, Biz Markie’s wife Tara Hall reportedly revealed that Fat Joe called to check in with her weekly for one year before her late husband’s passing, offering up his assistance to the family after his friend was admitted into a hospital in June 2020, reportedly due to diabetes-related complications.

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Hall reportedly told TMZ that during Biz Markie’s hospital stay, Fat Joe offered to assist the family with money, should they need it. He was reportedly also prepared to cover his friend’s funeral costs after his death was announced, but was told by Hall they didn’t need the monetary help.

Sharing a throwback photo of himself posing with a puppet version of Biz Markie, the “Lean Back” rapper wrote on Instagram Saturday, “We will love you forever BIZMARKIE”

The New York-bred rapper opened up about Biz Markie’s recent health journey in a virtual sit-down with Skandalous Talk on YouTube, saying “He fought for a whole year. And so he had diabetes, he had a stroke. And he was just fighting to rehabilitate. I’ve been checking up with his wife. He was getting better and out of nowhere, it just took a turn for the worst,”

“It’s no words to describe what Biz Mark…is for me.“The Vapors” is my favorite hip-hop song of all time,” Fat Joe

continued, adding “We all live once, and Bis Mark shared his life with us. And he entertained us.”