Brother Marquis, born Mark D. Ross, a standout member of the Miami hip-hop group 2 Live Crew, died at 58 on June 3, 2024. The group shared the news of his passing through their Facebook and Instagram pages, though they did not disclose the cause.
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He was pivotal to 2 Live Crew’s rise to prominence, contributing significantly to their Gold-certified debut album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are, in 1986. His involvement helped propel the group to new heights, not only through their music but also through the controversies that often accompanied it. Throughout the years, Marquis built a substantial legacy, both artistically and financially; the rapper had amassed a net worth of $1.5 million by the time of his death.
He joined the band as a replacement member, teaming up with David Hobbs (Mr. Mixx), Christopher Wong Won (Fresh Kid Ice), and Luther Campbell (Luke Skyywalker). Their music, known for its bold and explicit content, often brought them under the scrutiny of critics and lawmakers alike. Despite—or perhaps because of—this, the group enjoyed tremendous success. Their albums Move Somethin in 1988 and the Platinum-certified As Nasty As They Wanna Be in 1989 not only soared in popularity but also sparked notable legal battles over obscenity charges.
Throughout his career, Marquis also garnered several accolades that recognized his contributions to music, including honors at the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors in 2010 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Yo ATL Raps in 2019.
