The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of Mark Ross, better known as Brother Marquis, who passed away at the age of 58.
A member of the pioneering Miami hip-hop group, 2 Live Crew, Brother Marquis left an indelible mark on the music industry with his provocative and groundbreaking contributions.
2 Live Crew’s longtime manager, DJ Debo, confirmed Marquis’ death to PEOPLE, though he provided no additional details.
Sources told TMZ that Ross’ death “appears to be natural” and no foul play is suspected.
The news was shared on the hip-hop group’s Instagram account on Monday, June 3.
The post read, “Mark Ross AKA Brother Marquis of the 2 Live Crew has passed away #2livecrew.”
Born on April 4, 1966, in Rochester, New York, Mark Ross spent his adolescence in Los Angeles before moving to Miami, where he joined the Florida-based hip-hop group.
Brother Marquis became a member of 2 Live Crew in 1986 and collaborated with DJ Mr. Mixx, Fresh Kid Ice, and Luke Skyywalker throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
He made his debut with the group on their 1986 album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are, which set the stage for the group’s controversial and influential career.
Brother Marquis also appeared on several other notable albums, including Move Somethin‘ (1988), As Nasty As They Wanna Be (1989), Banned in the U.S.A. (1990), and As Nasty as They Wanna Be Part II (1991).
The group’s 1989 album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, became a cultural flashpoint.
A Florida judge ruled the album obscene, leading to the arrest of group members Luke Skyywalker (Luther Campbell) and Fresh Kid Ice (Christopher Wong Won), along with a record store owner who refused to stop selling the album.
The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals later overturned the obscenity ruling, and the Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal, marking a significant victory for artistic freedom.
After the group disbanded in the mid-’90s, Brother Marquis continued to make music and was featured on several records throughout his career.
Notably, he emceed with Ice-T on “99 Problems” from the rapper’s 1993 album, Home Invasion.
Despite parting ways in the ’90s, Ross, DJ Mr. Mixx (David P. Hobbs), and Fresh Kid Ice reunited in the 2000s, touring and creating new music until Fresh Kid Ice died in 2017.
Brother Marquis’ legacy is not only defined by his music but also by his role in challenging societal norms and pushing the boundaries of hip-hop.
His contributions helped shape the genre and inspired countless artists who followed in his footsteps.
Fans and fellow artists have taken to social media to express their condolences and share their memories of Brother Marquis.
His impact on the music industry and his bold, unapologetic style will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
Uncle Luke took to his Instagram page to pay tribute to Brother Marquis.
Rest in peace, Brother Marquis.
Your voice and influence will be missed, but your legacy will live on.
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Source: People
