Downtown Music Publishing (DMP) has signed a deal to represent the catalog of hip hop pioneer Biz Markie.
The deal, announced on Thursday (May 28), covers publishing administration and sync licensing, alongside representation of the late artist’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
Biz Markie, born Marcel Hall, died in 2021. His catalog and associated rights are managed under the direction of his widow, Tara Hall, executor of the estate.
Recorded music assets are managed through Revilo Records, with distribution and catalog services provided in partnership with Rhino Entertainment and Warner Music Group.
Publishing interests are represented through Surrey Lane Publishing and administered by Downtown Music Publishing.
The Biz Markie Experience oversees name, image, and likeness, intellectual property, and experiential initiatives, with administration also handled by DMP.
“Biz Markie was a truly original producer, performer, and cultural force,” said Jedd Katrancha, Chief Creative Officer, Downtown Music Publishing.
“We’re honored to be entrusted with preserving and amplifying his legacy.”
Biz Markie is best known for the 1989 single Just a Friend, a record that was initially underestimated before becoming one of the most enduring songs in popular music.
“Biz Markie was a truly original producer, performer, and cultural force.”
Jedd Katrancha, Downtown Music Publishing
The announcement arrives on the 40th anniversary of Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz, the 1986 release that introduced Biz Markie and his style.
According to Downtown, Biz Markie released five studio albums alongside compilations and singles, and his music has been sampled more than 1,500 times, from Wu-Tang Clan to the Rolling Stones. The company says he collaborated with Jay-Z, Nas, the Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Will Smith, and Slick Rick, among others.
“There’s a longer story behind this, but one day I asked Biz, ‘Who do you think I am to you?’ His reply runs through my mind every day,” said Tara Hall, widow of Marcel Hall and executor of the estate.
“Biz answered, ‘You are my future.’ Going through his music, photographs, and videos from the beginning of his career has been incredibly meaningful.
“As we approach the 40th anniversary of Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz, I’m excited to share these pieces of his story and celebrate the creativity and spirit that made Biz who he was.
“In many ways, I’m creating a blueprint for how to honor a legend while finding new ways for his work to live on for future generations. Biz preserved his legacy, and now it’s my job to protect it.”
DMP also represents the catalogs of John Lennon & Yoko Ono, George Gershwin, and Louis Armstrong, and others.
“In many ways, I’m creating a blueprint for how to honor a legend while finding new ways for his work to live on for future generations. Biz preserved his legacy, and now it’s my job to protect it.”
Tara Hall, MANAGER AND executor of the estate
The deal lands during a period of change for Downtown, whose parent company was acquired by Universal Music Group’s Virgin Music Group in February in a $775 million transaction.
That deal closed after the European Commission cleared it, subject to UMG‘s commitment to divest Downtown‘s Curve royalty accounting business.
Last month, the company’s CD Baby division launched a full-service artist program for 10 independent acts in 2026.
Downtown says it serves business clients, creators and artists in 145 countries across its Publishing, Distribution and Artist & Label Services, and CD Baby divisions.
The company sold its owned catalog of 145,000 copyrights to Concord in 2021 for around $400 million, repositioning itself as a services company that administers rights rather than owning them.Music Business Worldwide
