Prince Markie Dee of pioneering hip-hop group the Fat Boys has died. This evening, the group's manager, Louis Gregory, announced the sad news that the rapper passed away suddenly earlier today. While no cause of death was given, Prince Markie Dee was just 52.
"Forever in my Heart. Prince Markie Dee was more than a rapper; he was one of my very best and closest friends," Gregory tweeted. "My heart breaks today because I lost a brother. I'll always love you Mark and I'll cherish everything you taught me. Tomorrow is your birthday, swing my way big bro."
Prince Markie Dee was born Mark Anthony Morales on February 19, 1968. In the early '80s, he joined forces with Darren Robinson (a.k.a. the Human Beatbox, Big Buff) and Damon Wimbley (a.k.a. Kool Rock Ski) to become the hugely successful Fat Boys after a stint as the Disco 3.
The group saw their peak with their platinum-selling fourth album Crushin', as well as their own Hollywood film Disorderlies, both of which arrived in 1987.
Following Prince Markie Dee's time in the Fat Boys, he pursued a solo career on Columbia Records, with his debut effort Free arriving in 1992. He later went on to work in radio, with his most recent DJ gig being with SiriusXM's Rock the Bells channel.
The Fat Boys' Darren Robinson died in 1995 of a heart attack, leaving Damon Wimbley as the only surviving member of the group.
"Forever in my Heart. Prince Markie Dee was more than a rapper; he was one of my very best and closest friends," Gregory tweeted. "My heart breaks today because I lost a brother. I'll always love you Mark and I'll cherish everything you taught me. Tomorrow is your birthday, swing my way big bro."
Prince Markie Dee was born Mark Anthony Morales on February 19, 1968. In the early '80s, he joined forces with Darren Robinson (a.k.a. the Human Beatbox, Big Buff) and Damon Wimbley (a.k.a. Kool Rock Ski) to become the hugely successful Fat Boys after a stint as the Disco 3.
The group saw their peak with their platinum-selling fourth album Crushin', as well as their own Hollywood film Disorderlies, both of which arrived in 1987.
Following Prince Markie Dee's time in the Fat Boys, he pursued a solo career on Columbia Records, with his debut effort Free arriving in 1992. He later went on to work in radio, with his most recent DJ gig being with SiriusXM's Rock the Bells channel.
The Fat Boys' Darren Robinson died in 1995 of a heart attack, leaving Damon Wimbley as the only surviving member of the group.