The music world mourns the loss of Brother Marquis, a longtime member of the influential hip hop group 2 Live Crew. The rapper, whose real name was Mark Ross, passed away on Monday. The group's official social media accounts announced his death, noting that he had "gone to the upper room."
2 Live Crew's manager confirmed the news but did not provide details on the cause or manner of his death. According to TMZ his death appears to be from natural causes, and no foul play is suspected.
Brother Marquis joined 2 Live Crew in 1986, a pivotal moment that helped solidify the group's place in hip hop history. Although he was not one of the founding members, his contribution was significant. He joined DJ Mr. Mixx, Fresh Kid Ice, and Luke Skyywalker just as they were beginning to gain notoriety with tracks like "Throw the D." Marquis's clever, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, often filled with double entendres, became a hallmark of the group's provocative style.
His debut with the group was on their album "The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are", and he continued to feature prominently on their subsequent releases, including "Move Somethin' ", "As Nasty As They Wanna Be", "Banned in the U.S.A.", and "As Nasty as They Wanna Be Part II". These albums pushed the boundaries of lyrical content and cemented 2 Live Crew's place in the annals of hip hop.
By the early 1990s, 2 Live Crew had largely disbanded, but Brother Marquis's career didn't stop there. He went on to form the group 2 Nasty and continued to make music, collaborating with notable artists like Ice-T. Marquis also reunited with some of his 2 Live Crew bandmates to release new material and pursued various solo projects.
Brother Marquis was 57 years old at the time of his passing. His contributions to hip hop and his role in pushing the genre's boundaries will be remembered and celebrated. His legacy continues to influence artists and fans alike.