Biz Markie Estate Launches “SELECT CUTS,” a Limited Edition Release of Rare 1986 Photographs by George DuBose Following Debut of The Biz Markie Experience

"A Living, Breathing Timeline Of Hip-Hop History"

- Rolling Stone

April 10, 2026 // Following a private, star-studded exhibition in Manhattan held in honor of what would have been the hip-hop legend's birthday, the Biz Markie Estate officially announces the public release of SELECT CUTS. The limited-edition print release features rare, foundational photographs of Biz Markie taken in 1986 by legendary photographer George DuBose. The release is now available throughThe Biz Markie Experience, the estate's official platform for archival works and collector access.

Held on April 8 at Invite Only Studios - NYC's premier recording studio destination for artists, record labels and creatives - the exhibition marked the debut of The Biz Markie Experience, a new platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating Biz Markie's life, music, and cultural legacy. The evening featured more than 50 estate-sanctioned objects from Biz's personal archive, many of which had never before been shown publicly, and culminated in the unveiling of SELECT CUTS, a historic photographic work built from DuBose's early studio portraits of Biz captured during the era of Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz. In addition to prints being purchased onsite, attendees included hiphop notables, including Redman, Marley Mal, DJ Scratch, Ralph McDaniels, Johnny Nunez, DJ Spinna, Rashad Ringo Smith, Kool DJ Red Alert, and more.

The event and exhibition are also featured in a new Rolling Stone story, which includes the first exclusive published photographs of the exhibit and offers a closer look at the archive, the event, the newly released work, and an interview with Tara Hall - Markie's widow works to preserve his legacy and manage his estate. Check it out here: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/biz-markie-archives-rhyme-books-memorabilia-1235544050/

Captured at a pivotal early moment in his career, the photographs in SELECT CUTS document Marcel Hall at the point where his visual identity was first taking shape. Together, they offer a rare and cohesive look at the emergence of one of hip-hop's most distinctive, original, and beloved voices.

In December, Tara Hall traveled to Cologne, Germany, to work directly from DuBose's archive, reviewing and selecting images from this early body of work. That process ensured that each photograph included in SELECT CUTS was sourced from original materials and assembled with clear curatorial intent, forming a complete and historically grounded visual statement.

DuBose, who resides in Cologne, is widely recognized as one of the defining image-makers of hip-hop's golden era. His work helped shape the visual identity of a generation, with more than 50 projects achieving gold or platinum status and imagery that helped define the aesthetic and storytelling of hip-hop as it emerged on a global stage. His work spans icons for artists such as Eric B. & Rakim, Run DMC, and X Clan.

Curated by Tara Hall, SELECT CUTS brings together 12 photographs from the 1986 session into a single structured work. Rather than presenting the images individually, the estate has organized them as a complete visual statement - one that captures both the energy of the moment and its lasting cultural significance.

Select works in the release were produced with master printer Beth Schiffer, using archival pigment processes on museum-grade fine art paper to preserve the detail and tonal range of DuBose's original negatives while ensuring long-term stability. The larger-format canvas work was additionally printed by Lucky Singh.

"This release is about honoring the moment where everything began to take shape," said Tara Hall. "These images have been part of the archive for decades. Presenting them this way allows us to share that history as a complete body of work."

"My role is to bring forward everything that already exists within the photograph," said Beth Schiffer. "The goal is to translate that faithfully, with as much depth, detail, and permanence as possible."

Ahead of the unveiling, DuBose traveled from Cologne to New York City to personally sign prints in advance of the release, creating a limited number of works directly connected to both the original photographer and the estate.

Works are released through The Biz Markie Experience, with some editions also offered in partnership with Wax Poetics as an entry point for collectors.

Each work is accompanied by a signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity issued by the Biz Markie Estate. Collectors will also gain access to future releases and private programming through the estate's collector network.

Because early hip-hop photography was so rarely preserved, surviving material from this period remains limited. Estate-authorized works from original archives represent a rare opportunity to acquire imagery from a foundational era in music history.

A portion of proceeds from the release will support the Biz Markie Just A Friend Foundation and its charitable mission.

SELECT CUTS is available now through The Biz Markie Experience at www.thebizmarkieexperience.com .