Mark D. Ross (April 4, 1966[1] – June 3, 2024), better known by his stage name Brother Marquis, was an American rapper and a Miami bass pioneer.
By the early 1980s, Ross started to release music and made an impression on DJ and producer David Hobbs (Mr. Mixx).
Alongside Hobbs, Christopher Wong Won (Fresh Kid Ice), and Luther Campbell (Luke Skyywalker), they became the most well-known line up of the group.
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.
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.
[4] In 1983, Ross and fellow rapper Rodney-O formed The Caution Crew and released twelve-inch singles "Westside Storie" and "Rhythm Rock".
[7] 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.
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).
[13] 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.
[23] When discussing the album, Ross explained his intention to showcase diversity while staying true to the style that had made him famous.
Baker commented, "clever story lines and double-dope rhyme schemes are laid over skirt-flipping, ass-bumping beats as strong as any on the hip-hop market today."
Regarding Ross's performance, Baker noted, "Marquis remains among the most charismatic of rap vocalists and contributes the "concepts" and many of the lyrics.
"[22] That same year, Ross appeared as a featured guest on Ice-T's album Home Invasion on a song named "99 Problems".
[25] In 1995, Ross, Wong Won and Hobbs would reunite to release the single "Hoochie Mama" for the soundtrack to the movie Friday.
In August, Wong Won and Ross announced the pending release of a 2 Live Crew album named Just Wanna Be Heard.
A music video of the single featured Ross and Chain Swangaz as fast food employee who create havoc while their boss, played by Charlie Sheen, is gone.
[42] Ross was an avowed born again Christian, but also felt no moral restrictions when he performed sexually explicit lyrics in 2 Live Crew hits on tour or on recordings.
[44][45] 2010 – VH1 Hip-Hop Honors: The Dirty South Edition – Honoree[35] 2019 – Yo ATL Raps – Lifetime Achievement Award[46]