DeepDopeSoul2021: Remembering Prince Markie Dee Morales

Words By Mark Tyler

Rest in Peace Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales...He was 52. This one hits close to home because I enjoyed his music with The Fat Boys as youngster. It was fun. It was light. And it employed comedy in hip-hop at a time when it was cool just to do your own thing. Hip-hop wasn't so angry then. There wasn't lot of mumbling and everybody didn't sound the same. The Fat Boys' style was Their style. They took musical chances with songs like Rap Symphony on the Big and Beautiful album where they rapped accompanied by a full orchestra. (Your welcome Sir Mix-a-lot, who does a great job with My Posse's on Broadway with the Seattle Symphony by the way.) The Fat Boys also collaborated with the likes of the Beach Boys on Wipeout and Chubby Checker on their version of the Twist. They did movies such as Disorderlies and they were even on the Hollywood squares. The Fat Boys were true hip-hop ambassadors taking the culture into places where it had never gone before--remember the Swatch commercials. And if they did anything for me, personally, they taught me how to disarm critics by fully embracing who you are and being comfortable and confident in your own essence. Peace to Darren "Buffy" Robinson. Peace to Christopher "Biggie" Wallace. Peace to Dwight Arrington Myers "Heavy D." Peace to Christopher Lee Rios "Big Pun." And peace to all the Big men of hip hop who were taken too soon!!!