Prince Markie Dee | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mark Anthony Morales |
| Born | (1968-02-19)February 19, 1968 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | February 18, 2021(2021-02-18) (aged 52) Miami, Florida, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1982–2021 |
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Mark Anthony Morales (February 19, 1968 – February 18, 2021), better known by thestage namePrince Markie Dee, was an American rapper. He was a member ofthe Fat Boys, a pioneering hip hop group that gained fame during the 1980s. Morales was the vice-president of Uncle Louie Music Group.[1]
Morales was born on February 19, 1968. He established the Disco 3 together withDarren Robinson andDamon Wimbley in the early 1980s. After winning a talent contest at theRadio City Music Hall in 1983, they signed a contract with the show's promoter. The promoter recommended that the group rename itself the Fat Boys, in reference to their weight.[2]
Morales's accomplishments with the Fat Boys include seven full-length albums. Of these, three attained gold certification and one –Crushin' (1987) – reached platinum. Their hit song from that album that featuredThe Beach Boys, "Wipeout", peaked to number 12 on theBillboard Hot 100. The trio also appeared in the comedy filmDisorderlies that same year. They had earlier starred in the feature filmsKrush Groove (1985) andKnights of the City (1986).[2] The Fat Boys attempted to broaden their artistic scope by releasingOn and On (1989), arap opera album. Its lack of success hastened the demise of the group.[3] They released one more album,Mack Daddy (1991),[3] before disbanding soon afterwards.[2]
After the Fat Boys, Morales embarked on a solo career. He signed withColumbia Records and released a solo album,Free (1992).[4] It included a #1 hit single, "Typical Reasons (Swing My Way)".[5] After joining withCory Rooney to form a production company, Soul Convention,[6] Morales wrote and produced tracks for such artists asMary J. Blige,Jennifer Lopez,Mariah Carey,Craig Mack andMarc Anthony.[7] He was a producer for Blige's first album,What's the 411? (1992), including her hit song from that album, "Real Love".[2]
From 2008 to 2010, Morales served as the afternoon drive radio host/DJ at 103.5 The BeatWMIB radio inMiami, Florida.[7][8] He subsequently worked atWEDR 99.1 FM. He last worked at the Rock the BellsSirius XM station,[2] hosting his own show,The Prince Markie Dee Show.[8]
Morales once dated and was engaged to rapperPepa in the mid-1980s.[9] He died on February 18, 2021, inMiami the day before his 53rd birthday ofcongestive heart failure.[2]
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