Earlier this month (October 3), the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards taped in Atlanta, Georgia. The awards show now aired tonight (October 10). Among its highlights was producer/DJ Marley Marl winning the coveted I Am Hip Hop Award in the culture’s ceremonial 50th year.

Marley Marl is the Queens, New Yorker responsible for launching the careers of Juice Crew MCs Roxanne Shanté, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, MC Shan, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, Craig G, and Tragedy Khadafi, among others. In his later years, Marley also produced for Heavy D & The Boyz, Lords Of The Underground, Monie Love, and TLC. At radio, he and the late Mr. Magic broke some legendary records during their run at WBLS in the 1980s.

However, two of his star collaborators happen to be Eric B. & Rakim and LL Cool J. Marley helped launch Eric and Ra by producing breakout hit “Eric B. Is President.” For LL, the Q-U connection took place several albums into Cool J’s career, with Marley producing much of Mama Said Knock You Out, as well as key parts of 14 Shots To The Dome, along with later material.

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