The cause of death for Brother Marquis, a key member of the influential rap group 2 Live Crew, has been disclosed. According to a report from TMZ, the rapper, whose real name was Mark D. Ross, succumbed to a massive heart attack. Chief Deputy Coroner Dantez Robinson from the Etowah County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the death was natural, with no foul play or substances involved.
Brother Marquis’ sudden passing has left the hip-hop community in shock. The rapper, who was 58 years old, was a significant figure in the Miami-based group 2 Live Crew, which also included Uncle Luke, Mr. Mixx, and the late Fresh Kid Ice. Uncle Luke, also known as Luther Campbell, took to social media to express his condolences and pay tribute to his late bandmate.
“My Condolence goes out to the Family of Brother Marquis and so many of his Fans from around the World after learning his passing,” Uncle Luke wrote. “We took on so many fights for the culture made Great music together something I would never forget. We had recently got back together to take on another fight to get back our catalog that was stolen from us. We will continue that fight in his name for his Family. The Brother Marquis, that I know would want us to celebrate his life that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. R.I.P My Brother.”
Brother Marquis was not only a member of 2 Live Crew but also had a solo career and collaborated with several hip-hop legends, including Rodney-O, DJ Toomp, and Ice-T. He co-wrote and featured on the original “99 Problems” from Ice-T’s Home Invasion album. Ice-T also paid tribute to Marquis on social media, expressing his sorrow over the loss of his friend and collaborator.
“Woke up to the news that My homie Brother Marquis of the 2Live Crew has passed away,” Ice-T wrote. “He was my partner and on the Original 99problems. Sad news.. Too young.. too soon. RIP Homie 🙏”
Brother Marquis’ death was first announced on June 3 by the official 2 Live Crew Instagram account. The post read, “Mark Ross AKA Brother Marquis of the 2 Live crew has passed away.” The announcement was soon followed by an outpouring of tributes from other hip-hop artists and fans.
2 Live Crew was known for their groundbreaking work in hip-hop, particularly in the realm of freedom of speech. The group faced numerous legal battles over their explicit lyrics and controversial content. Their third album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, was declared obscene by a court, only to have the verdict overturned on appeal. The group’s song “Pretty Woman” also became the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit, which was eventually settled out of court.
Brother Marquis joined 2 Live Crew in 1986 at the age of 19. The group quickly rose to fame with their debut album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are, released the same year. Over the years, they became known for their provocative lyrics and their fight for artistic freedom.
The group’s most notable legal battle came with their 1989 album As Nasty As They Wanna Be, which was declared legally obscene by a South Florida federal judge. The ruling threatened to criminalize the distribution of the album and censor artists with explicit lyrics. However, the decision was overturned two years later by the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the group members were acquitted in a separate trial after being arrested for performing songs from the album in concert.
The controversy surrounding As Nasty As They Wanna Be led to the creation of the group’s 1990 hit “Banned in the U.S.A.,” which addressed the initial court decision, their subsequent arrest, and their defense of freedom of expression. The group is currently involved in a legal battle with Lil Joe Records over music rights and ownership.
Brother Marquis’ legacy in hip-hop is undeniable. His contributions to 2 Live Crew and his solo work have left an indelible mark on the genre. As the hip-hop community mourns his loss, his influence and impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
