Why Biz Markie embodied hip-hop

23rd February 2024

Sacha Jenkins has chronicled hip-hop culture for decades now. He is one of the founders of the legendary magazine Ego Trip and has produced documentaries on Wu-Tang Clan and Cypress Hill. His new documentary, All Up In The Biz, highlights the life and rhymes of the late rapper Biz Markie, known for his 1989 hit “Just A Friend.” Sacha Jenkins sits down with us to talk about Markie’s legacy and unconventional approach to life and music.

Episode notes

Sacha Jenkins is himself a hip-hop veteran. He was one of the founders of the legendary magazine Ego Trip and the creative director of Mass Appeal magazine. He’s directed a number of films, including documentaries about the Wu-Tang Clan, Rick James, and Louie Armstrong. His new project, All Up In The Biz, documents the life and legacy of rapper Biz Markie. 

Most people, if they know who Biz Markie was, know him from his song “Just A Friend.” But within hip-hop, Biz Markie was much more than a successful hit single. He was an avatar for everything delightful about the culture, as a rapper, beatboxer, and person. His very way of being in the world reminded everyone around him how fun hip-hop could be.

Sacha Jenkins joins us on Bullseye to talk about All Up In The Biz and how he tries to capture Biz Markie’s spirit through the film. 

In this episode...

Senior Producer
Producer
Maximum Fun Producer
Maximum Fun Production Fellow
Video Editor

Guests

  • Sacha Jenkins

About the show

Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.

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Senior Producer

Producer

Maximum Fun Producer

Maximum Fun Production Fellow

Video Editor

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