Prince Markie Dee, Pioneering Fat Boys Rapper and Music Producer, Dies at 52
Mark Morales — the rapper, actor and music producer better known as Prince Markie Dee of the trailblazing rap group The Fat Boys — died Thursday at the age of 52. A cause of death has not been made public.
Morales’ death was announced by Sirius XM’s Rock the Bells radio, where he hosted and DJ’d. “The Rock The Bells family is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mark ‘Prince Markie Dee’ Morales earlier today. That voice and his presence can never be replaced. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones,” the station said via Twitter.
Born in Brooklyn in 1968, Morales co-founded what would become The Fat Boys as the Disco 3 with his friends Damon “Kool Rock-Ski” Wimbley and Darren “Buff Love” Robinson. As The Disco 3, the group shot to early success after winning a rap contest built around Morales’ and Kool Rock-Ski’s raps and Buff Love’s groundbreaking beatboxing, securing a record deal and the release of their first single, “Reality.”
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The group changed their name and in 1984 dropped their debut album, “Fat Boys,” widely credited as the first time beatboxing was featured on a hip-hop recording and recognized as a crucial landmark in the transition between the old school and new school of rap. Among the highlights were the singles “Jail House Rap” and “Can You Feel It?” the title track, and the tracks “Stick’ Em,” “Don’t You Dog Me” and “Fat Boys.”
They made their film debut in 1985’s “Krush Groove,” a fictionalized telling of the founding of Def Jam records, with the Fat Boys basically depicting their own origin story and performing several songs. They followed this up two years later with a starring vehicle, the comedy “Disorderlies,” with Morales featured in the film’s romantic subplot.
The Fat boys recorded seven albums total, with their biggest success coming in 1987 with the platinum-selling “Crushin'” spurred by the success of their rap cover of the surf song “Wipeout” featuring The Beach Boys. Their next album, 1988’s “Coming Back Hard Again,” was also successful thanks to their cover of “The Twist” featuring Chubby Checkers.
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After the group’s 1991 breakup, Morales embarked on a solo career as a performer and producer. His 1992 solo debut, “Free,” saw some success thanks to the New Jack Swing single “Typical Reasons.” That same year, he produced and co-wrote several tracks on Mary J. Blige’s debut, “What’s the 411,” including her immortal breakthrough single “Real Love,” which topped Billboard’s R&B charts and peaked at eight on the mainstream charts. Morales also produced for Craig Mack and Marc Anthony among other artists.
Later in his career, Morales became a radio personality and DJ, most recently for LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells radio.
After his death was made public, his peers and admirers paid tribute.
Rip Prince Markie Dee of The Fat Boys. https://t.co/bVxysl8C6I
— B.R.O.theR. ?uestion (@questlove) February 18, 2021
He also co-wrote and co-produced this:https://t.co/4dKHU3q4Tc
— Cheo Hodari Coker (@cheo_coker) February 19, 2021
I'm CRUSHED man. RIP PRINCE MARKIE DEE
one of the most underrated MC/Producers EVER. 1st LATINO MC to go Platinum. FAT BOYS the 1st RAP TAPE I ever owned. He Produced classics REAL LOVE for @maryjblige, @MariahCarey, Destiny's Child, @ArianaGrande @Drake, Craig Mack, Frank Ocean
— R.A. the Rugged Man (@RAtheRuggedMan) February 18, 2021
rest in peace to the great Prince Markie Dee of the legendary FAT BOYS. 💔
— el-p (@therealelp) February 18, 2021
Prince Markie Dee is gone y'all. 💔 #FatBoys pic.twitter.com/iKM2wMoXU6
— Kesha Monk (@KeshaMonk) February 18, 2021
Oh, no! I'm hearing Prince Markie Dee from The Fat Boys (seen here on the right) has passed away. Thanks for the early inspiration. Rest In Paradise. The Fat Boys Forever! pic.twitter.com/ou94zxmPa0
— Danny Boy O'Connor (@DannyBoy1968) February 18, 2021
Rest in peace, Prince Markie Dee.
SiriusXM is honoring the memory of the pioneering Fat Boys member and dedicated host on LL COOL J’s @RockTheBells Radio. https://t.co/zaQXKxnvjq pic.twitter.com/hqsk0vcF40
— SiriusXM (@SIRIUSXM) February 19, 2021
Read original story Prince Markie Dee, Pioneering Fat Boys Rapper and Music Producer, Dies at 52 At TheWrap
