Rapper Brother Marquis of 2 Live Crew Dies at Age 58

Rapper Brother Marquis, a member of the iconic rap group 2 Live Crew, has passed away at the age of 58. The news was confirmed by the group on social media, with the caption later being updated to reflect his passing. The cause of death has not been revealed at this time.

The group’s manager has stated that there is no foul play suspected in Brother Marquis’ death. Rapper Uncle Luke, the frontman of 2 Live Crew, paid tribute to his former co-member on social media, expressing condolences to his family and fans around the world. He also mentioned their recent efforts to reclaim their stolen catalog and vowed to continue the fight in Brother Marquis’ name.

Brother Marquis, whose real name was Mark D. Ross, joined 2 Live Crew at the age of 19 in 1986. Born in Rochester, New York, he became one of the group’s most notable members alongside Uncle Luke, Fresh Kid Ice, and Mr. Mixx. The group gained recognition for their controversial album “As Nasty As They Wanna Be,” which was at the center of a landmark obscenity case in 1990.

The album’s leadoff track, “Me So Horny,” sampled explicit dialogue from the movie “Full Metal Jacket” and was declared legally obscene by a South Florida federal judge. This ruling posed a threat to music sellers and artists with explicit lyrics. However, two years later, the ruling was overturned by the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the members of 2 Live Crew were acquitted in a separate trial.

The controversy surrounding “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” led to the group’s chart-topping song “Banned in the U.S.A.,” which addressed their initial court decision, subsequent arrest, and defended freedom of expression. Currently, 2 Live Crew is involved in a legal battle with Lil Joe Records over music rights and ownership.

Brother Marquis’ death is a loss for the world of rap music. His contributions to 2 Live Crew and his dedication to fighting for artistic freedom will be remembered. As fans mourn the loss, it’s important to celebrate his life and the impact he made on the culture. Rest in peace, Brother Marquis.