“Pop Meets Hip-Hop: Rethinking Rap’s Exit from Billboard’s Top 40”

Biz Markie’s unapologetically wacky and seemingly out-of-this-world 1989 hit “Just A Friend” was a true pop phenomenon! The Long Island-based MC, DJ, and beatboxing jokester delivered a love song that was laughably out of tune at times. Yet, the infectious chorus—“Youuu got what I neeed!”—broke through all expectations to become one of the most unlikely…

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