Biz Markie

Released: March 1, 1988

Featuring: TJ Swan

Songwriter: Biz Markie Big Daddy Kane

Producer: Marley Marl

[Verse 1]
On the mic at this time in the place to be
I'm the Inhuman Orchestra called Biz Markie
That made you dance, make the music with my mouth, and all
But I'm here to talk about the Albee Square Mall
A place where people shop in downtown Brooklyn
Where I can be found if you're lookin'
For me, the B-i-z, so just come check me out
'Cause 24/7 I'm mikin' the house
So when I come in the Mall, and then I start to roam
You wouldn't think it's a store, you would think it's my home
'Cause when I come in the place, then I hang up a sign
Reads "Home sweet home" - this house is mine

[Chorus: T.J. Swan]
Albee Square Mall
My house is the Albee Square Mall
My house is the Albee Square Mall
My house is the Albee Square Mall

[Verse 2]
I been to many malls from state to state
But I've never been in, say, one this great, I hate
To say, about the other shopping centers that's left
But the Albee Square Mall is the doo-doo-def
I be in there everyday, walkin' around chillin'
From when they opened all the way until when
It's about time for the place to close
I'm just running things like a pair of panty hose
They all know me, the Biz Markie
I get more respect than the average employee
Could work in every store in the mall
Because the place is my house from wall to wall
If I could move in, party people, I just might
So I could stay forever, and it won't be just like
A bum that you see sleepin' on a park bench
So how will it be when you see Biz Markie
I fade them all, been havin' fun
See, to me this mall is like number one
And any other shoppers there that try to compare
There ain't no way they could hang out with Albee Square

[Chorus: T.J. Swan]
Albee Square Mall
My house is the Albee Square Mall
My house is the Albee Square Mall
My house is the Albee Square Mall

[Verse 3]
I step in the place and shop around for a while
Buy some jewelry for Treny and Ali, and after that I'll
Go take a stroll inside of Gibb's Pups
Then buy some fresh silks, Bally's too
Next stop Olympic, wanted to buy some sneakers
Then hit the Game Room to pick me up a Cesar
Stroll around with a fly female
While security's riffin' about leanin' on the rail
After that I go eat some food at Wendy's
In the Albee cafeteria, could be shoppin' plenty
From store to store just stuffin' face
And I do the pfrr-one-two while sayin' my grace
Finally I step off all alone
Up to the top level to use the telephone
Never use a quarter, 'cause I got a calling card
So I can reach out and touch everybody I know
That's where I be until the day is done
Just coolin' in the place that's number one
So next time you'll be in Brooklyn walkin' around
Play like "Price Is Right" and "come on down"
And

[Chorus: T.J. Swan]
Go shoppin'
Go shoppin'
Go shop - let's all go shoppin' (3x)

Go shoppin'
Go shoppin'
Go shoppin' - Swan and Biz go shoppin'

La-la-lala
La-la-la-la-lala (till end)

[Biz gives shout-outs]

Marcel Theo Hall (born April 8, 1964), better known by his stage name Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his hit single “Just a Friend” and has been called “the Clown Prince of Hip Hop.”

Markie found a love of music through his father, a multi-instrumentalist who played in local Long Island clubs when Markie was a child. Later, Markie performed at house parties on Long Island until he felt confident enough to go to Manhattan and pursue a career in music. He began waiting outside on the stoop of producer Marley Marl’s house daily until Marley took notice of him. Marley assembled a group of rappers including Markie with Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, Roxanne Shante, and others and called them The Juice Crew. Markie was especially known for his beatboxing, something he’d been doing since he was seven years old.

Markie’s first release, a 1986 EP titled “Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz”, was put out under the name Biz Markie “The Inhuman Orchestra”. Its title track became a minor R&B Chart hit. Two years later, “Vapors”, a single from his debut album Goin' Off, gave him his second appearance on the R&B Chart. Years later, Snoop Dogg’s 1997 cover of the song would take “Vapors” into the top 40 on the UK, Scotland and New Zealand pop charts.

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