Markie Dee, a member of the Fat Boys, has died aged 52.
The news was announced by Morale’s manager, Louie “Uncle Louie” Gregory.
“Forever in my Heart. Prince Markie Dee was more than a rapper; he was one of my very best and closest friends,” Gregory wrote on Twitter. “My heart breaks today because I lost a brother. I’ll always love you Mark and I’ll cherish everything you taught me. Tomorrow is your birthday, swing my way big bro.”
Markie Dee produced and penned songs for icons such as Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige and more.
Celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to Markie Dee, including Fat Joe who wrote:
“I would be walking and all of a sudden i would hear music ricochet off the walls, it would go huh huh huh ha huh Hu Hu ha Fat Fat Fat boys , Fat Fat Fat boys this was the first song they would play at the block party to summon you to appear. Today’s new is sad member of the Fat boys Prince Markie D morales has passed on he was a great guy a Legend and pioneer God bless my fellow Boriqua brother till we meet again 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️❤️❤️”