Beastie Boys' Mike D on Biz Markie: 'Not Just a Rapper, But a True Entertainer' Beastie Boys' Mike D on Biz Markie: 'Not Just a Rapper, But a True Entertainer' "Once, he was doing a DJ set opening up for us, and the power suddenly cut out," D remembers of the "Just a Friend" rapper, who died Friday. "He didn't miss a beat, human beatboxing and singing" Rolling Stone, provided by FacebookTwitterEmail Beastie Boys and Biz Markie were both New York hip-hop pioneers, so it’s natural they spent a lot of time together. The two artists often shared a stage, including a 1988 Madison Square Garden show where Biz performed an inimitable version of Elton John’s “Bennie and The Jets.” (That version later ended up on the Beasties’ Sounds of Science