Brother Marquis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brother Marquis
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mark D. Ross |
| Also known as | Marquis Your Brother |
| Born | April 4, 1966 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 3, 2024 (aged 58) |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 1983–2024 |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts | Rodney-O 2 Live Crew Luther Campbell Mr. Mixx Fresh Kid Ice DJ Toomp Ice-T KC and the Sunshine Band Caution Crew C Funk 2 Nazty Verb Chain Swangaz |
Mark D. Ross (born April 4, 1966 – died June 3, 2024), known as Brother Marquis, was an American rapper. He was a pioneer of Miami bass music.
Ross was born in Rochester, New York. When he was a teenager, he and his mother moved to Los Angeles, California. In the early 1980s, Ross began making music with his group, The Cautious Crew. Soon after, he impressed DJ and producer David Hobbs, also known as Mr. Mixx. This was because of Ross's amazing skills in rap battles.
At that time, Hobbs was part of a group called 2 Live Crew. This group had created a new style of music called Miami Bass. They were very popular in Florida. When a member of 2 Live Crew left, Ross was invited to join. He fit in easily because of his funny personality. Along with Hobbs, Christopher Wong Won (Fresh Kid Ice), and Luther Campbell (Luke Skyywalker), they became the most famous lineup of the group.
In 1986, they had a big hit with their first album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are. This album sold enough copies to be certified Gold. The group continued to be very successful. Their second album, Move Somethin' (1988), also went Gold. Their third album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be (1989), sold over a million copies and was certified Platinum. They released two more Gold albums: Banned in the U.S.A. (1990) and Sports Weekend: As Nasty as They Wanna Be, Pt. 2 (1991).
In the early 1990s, Ross worked on different music projects. He formed a duo called 2 Nazty with DJ Toomp. They released an album called ... Exposure in 1993. This album showed how talented and flexible he was as an artist. In the same year, Ross was featured on Ice-T's album "Home Invasion." He contributed to the original version of "99 Problems," which later became a huge hit when Jay-Z remade it.
In 1996, Ross, Wong Won, and Hobbs got back together as 2 Live Crew. They released the album Shake a Lil' Somethin'. This album reached #145 on the Billboard 200 music chart. In 1998, Ross and Wong Won released The Real One. This was the last 2 Live Crew album released by the group.
In 2006, Ross and Wong Won reunited as 2 Live Crew again. They started touring and releasing new songs. Wong Won passed away in 2017. Ross died on June 3, 2024.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Mark D. Ross was born on April 4, 1966. He grew up in Rochester, New York. When he was a teenager, he moved with his mother to Los Angeles, California.
Starting His Music Career (1983-1986)
In 1983, Ross and another rapper named Rodney-O formed a group called The Caution Crew. They released some songs, including "Westside Storie" and "Rhythm Rock." Ross said they made these songs when he was in junior high school in California.
His cousin gave him the name Brother Marquis. His cousin was Muslim and often called people "Brother." They would spend time together in a car called a Grand Marquis. So, his cousin started calling him Brother Marquis.
Ross soon caught the attention of music producer and DJ David Hobbs, known as Mr. Mixx. Mr. Mixx was part of the rap group 2 Live Crew, which was popular in Miami, Florida. Mr. Mixx said he knew Ross from parties. He remembered Ross was very good at rap battles. He told Ross that if he ever had the chance, he would bring him into the group.
When one of the 2 Live Crew members left, Ross flew to Florida to join the group. He joined Hobbs, Christopher Wong Won (Fresh Kid Ice), and Luther Campbell (Luke).
When Ross joined, the group had already finished their 1986 song "Throw The D." This song became a guide for how future Miami bass songs were made. Hobbs said that Ross was naturally funny. Since their music often had a comedic style, Ross fit in perfectly.
Ross was 19 years old when he joined 2 Live Crew. His first song with the group was called "Word." In 1986, 2 Live Crew released their first album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are, which became a Gold-certified hit.
Later Success and Solo Work (1992-2003)
After 2 Live Crew separated for a while, Ross moved to Georgia. He had friends and family there. He also tried stand-up comedy. Later, Ross teamed up with Idrin Davis (DJ Toomp) to create the duo 2 Nazty.
In 1993, 2 Nazty released their album ... Exposure. Ross explained that he wanted to show different sides of his music while still keeping the style he was known for.
That same year, Ross was a special guest on Ice-T's album Home Invasion. He appeared on a song called "99 Problems." In 2003, Jay-Z made a new version of "99 Problems" that became a very popular song.
In 1995, Ross, Wong Won, and Hobbs reunited to release a song for the movie soundtrack Friday. The soundtrack became very successful, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 1996, Ross reunited with Wong Won and Hobbs as 2 Live Crew. They released their seventh album, Shake a Lil' Somethin'. The main song from this album reached #11 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.
In 1998, Ross and Wong Won released The Real One. This was the last 2 Live Crew album they released together. The album featured songs with KC from KC and the Sunshine Band and Ice-T.
In 2003, Ross released his own solo music project called Bottom Boi Style Vol. 1.
Reuniting with 2 Live Crew (2006-2010)
Around 2006-2007, Ross and Wong Won met and decided to bring back 2 Live Crew. They asked other past members to rejoin, but they declined.
In 2010, Ross and 2 Live Crew were honored at the 7th VH1 Hip-Hop Honors event. Later that year, Wong Won and Ross announced they would release a new 2 Live Crew album called Just Wanna Be Heard.
In late 2010, Ross and Wong Won released new 2 Live Crew songs like "I'm 2 Live," featuring rappers Mannie Fresh and E-40. The album Just Wanna be Heard was announced but never released.
Later Projects (2011-2024)
In 2011, Ross was a guest on the song "Steak & Mash Potatoes" by Chain Swangaz. The song's music video showed Ross and Chain Swangaz as fast food workers causing trouble.
In 2014, Ross and Wong Won released the song "Take It Off." They also appeared in the Flo Rida music video "G.D.F.R." That same year, they announced a new 2 Live Crew album called Turn Me On. Also in 2014, Wong Won and Ross performed with Campbell again.
In 2016, Wong Won left 2 Live Crew and passed away in 2017. Ross then reunited with Hobbs to continue the group. They released the song One Horse Sleigh in 2016 and kept touring as 2 Live Crew.
Personal Life and Passing
In a 2015 interview, Ross mentioned that he had a daughter.
Mark D. Ross, also known as Brother Marquis, passed away on June 3, 2024, at the age of 58.
Awards and Honors
- 2010 - VH1 Hip-Hop Honors: The Dirty South Edition - Honoree
- 2019 - Yo ATL Raps - Lifetime Achievement Award
