Photo: Brother Marquis | Mark D. Ross (April 2, 1967 – June 3, 2024), better known by his stage name Brother Marquis, was an American rapper and a Miami bass pioneer. Ross was born in Rochester, New York. In his teens, he moved with his mother to Los Angeles, California. By the early 1980s, Ross started to release music and made an impression on DJ and producer David Hobbs (Mr. Mixx). Hobbs was part of the group 2 Live Crew, who had just created the Miami Bass blueprint, and were successful in Florida. This led Ross accepting an invitation to join them. Due to his comedic sensibilities, Ross integrated easily into the direction the group was taking. Alongside Hobbs, Christopher Wong Won (Fresh Kid Ice), and Luther Campbell (Luke Skyywalker), they became the most well-known line up of the group. In 1986, they had a breakthrough with their Gold-certified debut album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are.
The group’s success came with controversies due to the explicit nature of their humor. They continued their rise to fame with their second album, Move Somethin’ (1988), which also went Gold. Their third album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be (1989), was certified Platinum and found legally obscene by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (soon overruled). In the press, the group received national scrutiny. They were prosecuted and acquitted. Prior to separating, they made 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 embarked on various musical endeavors. He formed the duo 2 Nazty with DJ Toomp and released the album Indecent Exposure in 1993, showcasing his versatility and prowess. During the same year, Ross was a featured rapper on Ice-T’s album Home Invasion, contributing to the original version of “99 Problems”, which later was remade by Jay-Z into a top charting hit.
With different lineups Ross made two more albums with 2 Live Crew Shake a Lil’ Somethin’ (1996), which reached #145 on the Billboard 200, and The Real One,(1998) which peaked at #59 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2006, Ross and Wong Won, as 2 Live Crew, reunited, started touring, released singles, and made several album announcements until Wong Won’s death in 2017.
Early life
Born on April 2, 1967, Ross explained that he spent his early life in Rochester, New York with his mother. In his teens, they moved to Los Angeles, California.
Career
1983–1986 Early career, joining 2 Live Crew and the group’s breakthrough
In 1983, Ross and fellow rapper Rodney-O formed The Caution Crew and released twelve-inch singles “Westside Storie” and “Rhythm Rock”. Ross said that they were created during his time living in California while he was in junior high. Ross explained that his rapper’s name, Brother Marquis, was coined by his cousin, who, due to his Muslim faith, frequently referred to others as “Brother.” The two would engage in Islamic practices and spend time together in a Grand Marquis car. Over time, his cousin began calling him Brother Marquis.
Eventually, he caught the attention of music producer and DJ David Hobbs, also known as Mr. Mixx, who was part of the rap group 2 Live Crew, which had gained popularity in Miami, Florida. Hobbs said, “I knew Marquis from parties in Riverside. He would battle people and beat them senseless. I met him in the parking lot of a mall and told him if I ever get a chance, I’m going to bring you in.” When one of the group members eventually departed, Ross flew to Florida to join 2 Live Crew alongside Hobbs, Christopher Wong Won (Fresh Kid Ice), and Luther Campbell (Luke).
When Ross arrived, they had already completed the 1986 single “Trow The D. And Ghetto Bass”. The song “Trow The D” became the blueprint as to how future Miami bass songs were written and produced. The group was initially known for their sexually explicit and comical content. Regarding Ross’s comedic talents and adaptation to the group’s style, Hobbs noted, “he was always naturally funny. Since the stuff was coming off of comedy records, it went hand in hand with him.”
Ross was 19-year when he joined, and said his first recording with the group was the song “Word”.
In 1986, the 2 Live Crew release their Gold-certified debut album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are.
1988–1991: Best selling 2 Live Crew albums and attendant controversy
In 1988, 2 Live Crew released their second studio album, Move Somethin’. The album was also certified Gold, as was the single “Move Somethin'”. Move Somethin’ peaked on the Billboard 200 charts at #68.
2 Live Crew’s third studio album As Nasty As They Wanna Be (1989), became the group’s biggest seller, certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 1990, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled that the album was legally obscene; but this ruling was later overturned by the Eleventh Circuit. As Nasty As They Wanna Be was the first album in history to be deemed legally obscene.
In 1990, Ross and the 2 Live Crew released their fourth album Banned in the U.S.A., which was originally credited as Luther Campbell’s solo album featuring 2 Live Crew and in later editions credited as a 2 Live Crew album. The album included the hits “Do the Bart” and the title track. It was also the very first release to bear the RIAA-standard Parental Advisory warning sticker. The eponymous title single was a reference to the obscenity decision from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Bruce Springsteen granted the group permission to interpolate his song “Born in the U.S.A.” for the single.
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In 1995, Ross, Wong Won and Hobbs would reunite to release the single “Hoochie Mama” for the soundtrack to the movie Friday. The soundtrack reached #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, where it held its position for two weeks, and on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for six weeks.
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Ross died on June 3, 2024, at the age of 57, in his home in Gadsden, Alabama. His death is attributed to an heart attack. He is survived by a daughter.
Go hear to read more about Mr. Ross’s life and future recordings:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Marquis
Photo: Brother Marquis (from his Facebook page)
Brother Marquis of 2 Live Crew Dies of Heart Attack
