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The music world lost a legend on Monday night with the passing of Mark Ross, better known as Brother Marquis, rapper for the iconic hip-hop group 2 Live Crew. He was 58 years old.
The cause of death remains unreported. Tributes poured in on social media, with former bandmate Luther Campbell, known as Uncle Luke, expressing his condolences: "My heart goes out to the family of Brother Marquis and his fans worldwide. We fought for the culture together, made incredible music, and those memories I'll forever cherish. Brother Marquis would want us to celebrate his life, and that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Rest in Peace, my brother."
While not an original member, Brother Marquis left a significant mark on 2 Live Crew. Born in Rochester, New York, he found his musical footing in Los Angeles before making Miami his home. He joined the group in 1986, alongside DJ Mr. Mixx (David Hobbs), Fresh Kid Ice (Christopher Wong Won), and Campbell (then performing as Luke Skyywalker).
2 Live Crew gained notoriety for their unapologetically sexual lyrics and performances, exemplified by their 1989 hit "Me So Horny." The song appeared on the album "As Nasty As They Wanna Be," which faced obscenity charges and became a landmark case, leading to the creation of the "Parental Advisory: Explicit Content" label.
The group disbanded in the 90s, but Ross reunited with Hobbs and Won in the 2000s, continuing to tour until Won's passing in 2017. Brother Marquis' legacy lives on through his contributions to the evolution of hip-hop and the fight for artistic expression.
