Mark Ross, also known as Brother Marquis, a significant member of the Miami-based hip-hop group 2 Live Crew, has passed away at 58. Ross was a pivotal figure in the group, recognized for his influential role in the hip-hop industry.
The death of Ross was confirmed on Monday, June 3, by the group’s Instagram account, and further validated by their long-serving manager, DJ Debo. The cause of his death has yet to be revealed.
Ross was born on April 4, 1966, in Rochester, New York. He relocated to Los Angeles, California, with his family during his adolescence. It was there he first became involved with the burgeoning rap scene. In 1986, Ross joined 2 Live Crew at 19, marking the beginning of a significant period as the group moved to Miami, Florida and gained popularity.
2 Live Crew, consisting of Luther Campbell (Luke Skyywalker), Christopher Wong Won (Fresh Kid Ice), David Hobbs (Mr. Mixx), and Ross, became infamous for their graphic lyrics and energetic performances. Their national breakthrough came with their debut album in 1986, “The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are,” which featured tracks like “We Want Some P__y” and “Throw the ‘D'”. Despite frequent legal challenges over obscenity charges, the group remained influential in the hip-hop community, pioneering explicit content within the genre.
Ross and his bandmates were key players in significant censorship battles, advocating for free speech and leading to significant legal precedents favoring artistic expression. In a Miami Times interview, Ross stated, “I’m grateful and honored to be a pioneer in terms of explicit lyrics, First Amendment rights, fighting censorship, and the inclusion of naked women on stage,” underlining the rebellious spirit that defined his career.
Despite initial controversy, 2 Live Crew released a series of successful albums throughout the late 1980s and early ’90s. “Move Somethin'” and “As Nasty as They Wanna Be” achieved gold and platinum status, respectively. Their work reflected their capacity to provoke, as well as engage in meaningful cultural discussions about expression and censorship.
Following the group’s disbandment in 1992, Ross pursued stand-up comedy and formed the rap duo 2 Nasty with DJ Toomp. He made a notable guest appearance on Ice-T’s track “99 Problems” in 1993, a song later famously sampled by Jay-Z. Ross continued to participate in 2 Live Crew reunions and tours in the subsequent decades.
Condolences and respect have been extended by fans and the music industry worldwide. Luther Campbell, a crucial member of 2 Live Crew, shared his thoughts: “We faced many challenges together for the culture and created unforgettable music. Recently, we reunited to reclaim our catalog that was taken from us. We will continue this battle in his honor,” Campbell said on X.
The impact of Brother Marquis as a pioneer in the hip-hop industry and a defender of free speech is expected to continue influencing future generations. His artistic contributions extended beyond mere entertainment; they challenged and broadened the scope of artistic expression.
