Remembering Brother Marquis: Legendary Rapper from 2 Live Crew Passes Away at 58

Mark D. Ross, better known as Brother Marquis, a founding member of the iconic rap group 2 Live Crew, has tragically passed away at 58. The cause of his death remains undisclosed.

The entertainment world mourns the untimely passing of Brother Marquis, a legendary rapper and member of the pioneering rap group 2 Live Crew. On Monday, Fox News Digital confirmed that Marquis, whose real name was Mark D. Ross, had passed away at the age of 58.

Marquis's illustrious career began in 1986, when he joined 2 Live Crew as a close friend of DJ David Hobbs, better known as Mr. Mixx. Together with Fresh Kid Ice (Christopher Wong Won) and Luke Skyywalker (Luther Campbell), they formed the most well-known lineup of the group.

Throughout their reign, 2 Live Crew gained notoriety for their provocative and controversial lyrics, which often pushed the boundaries of decency. Their 1989 album, "As Nasty As They Wanna Be," became a massive success but also sparked legal battles with the government, which deemed it "legally obscene." However, the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned this decision in 1992, recognizing the album's cultural significance.

Brother Marquis's legacy extends beyond his musical contributions. Along with his fellow group members, he fought tirelessly for the protection of artistic expression, challenging censorship and defending the right to create free and unfiltered art.

Marquis's passing has left a void in the music industry and beyond. His fellow musicians and fans took to social media to express their condolences and celebrate his life. Luke Skyywalker took to Twitter, known as "X," to offer his respects, writing, "My Condolence goes out to the Family of Brother Marquis and so many of his Fans from around the World after learning his passing."

Campbell also shared that he and Marquis had recently reunited to pursue legal action to recover their stolen music catalog. "We will continue that fight in his name for his Family. The Brother Marquis, that I know would want us to celebrate his life that's exactly what I'm gonna do," Campbell wrote.

Brother Marquis will be remembered as a groundbreaking artist who challenged conventions and pushed the boundaries of expression. His passion for music and his unwavering commitment to artistic freedom left an indelible mark on the industry.