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Mark Anthony Morales, the hip hop legend better known as Prince Markie Dee of the Fat Boys, has sadly passed away. While the cause of death has not yet been revealed, the news of Morales's passing was confirmed by his manager, Louie "Uncle Louie" Gregory, with an emotional post on Twitter. Morales was just 52 years old, passing on the day before he would have turned 53.

Forever in my Heart. Prince Markie Dee was more than a rapper; he was one of my very best and closest friends. My heart breaks today because I lost a brother. I’ll always love you Mark and I’ll cherish everything you taught me. Tomorrow is your birthday, swing my way big bro. pic.twitter.com/XcIsHixOoc

— Louis “Uncle Louie” Gregory (@UncleLouie) February 18, 2021

"Forever in my Heart," Gregory writes of his late friend. "Prince Markie Dee was more than a rapper; he was one...

Prince Markie Dee, aka Mark Morales, best known as a member of the pioneering hip-hop group The Fat Boys, died Thursday, according to the group’s manager. He was 52. No cause of death has been revealed.

“Forever in my Heart. Prince Markie Dee was more than a rapper; he was one of my very best and closest friends,” manager Louis Gregory wrote on Twitter. “My heart breaks today because I lost a brother. I’ll always love you Mark and I’ll cherish everything you taught me. Tomorrow is your birthday, swing my way big bro.”

Mark Anthony Morales teamed up with Darren Robinson (the Human Beatbox) and Damon Wimbley (Kool Rock Ski) as The Disco 3, later transitioning to become The Fat Boys. They began in 1983 by winning a Radio City Music Hall talent show.

They went on to become a mainstay of early hip-hop, bringing beatboxing into the mainstream...

Prince Markie Dee, a member of the pioneering hip-hop group the Fat Boys, died on Thursday, the group’s manager, Louis Gregory confirmed. He was 52. No cause of death has been given.

“Forever in my Heart. Prince Markie Dee was more than a rapper; he was one of my very best and closest friends,” Gregory wrote on Twitter. “My heart breaks today because I lost a brother. I’ll always love you Mark and I’ll cherish everything you taught me. Tomorrow is your birthday, swing my way big bro.

Looking for a little throwback flavor to your summer movie viewing? Something a little retro, perhaps a bit lo-fi, but with its heart in the right place? Well, "Ping Pong Summer" could fit the bill. The Sundance comedy is coming to theatres today, and if the movie doesn't grab you, perhaps the soundtrack will. Comprised largely of '80s jams, "Ping Pong Summer" is mixtape ready, so grab your Nikes and a boombox and check it out. From hip-hop novelty act The Fat Boys to the earnest crooning of Mr. Mister, to the snazzy troupe New Edition to the we-barely-remember-you Mary Jane Girls, this one feels like it needs to be put on cassette. Either way, it feels perfect for the 1985-set coming-of-age story that brings together the cast of Susan Sarandon, John Hannah, Lea Thompson, Amy Sedaris, Robert Longstreet and newcomer Marcello Conte. "Ping Pong Summer" opens today is on VOD.

The mid-’80s are an easy source of comedy. Boomboxes the size of Samsonites. John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. Pac Man Fever. White teens trying to moonwalk. All of these sonic and visual punchlines get a workout in writer-director Michael Tully’s Ping Pong Summer — a fun-but-slight coming-of-age story about an awkward Maryland teenager who becomes, well, not a man exactly, but a slightly more comfortable teenager, on a family vacation during the magical summer of 1985.

If that description sounds familiar, that’s probably because Ping Pong Summer has the misfortune of coming after two similar — and better...

Miami Vice

Season 1, Episode 1: “Brother’s Keeper” (Pilot)

Directed by Thomas Carter

Written by Anthony Yerkovich

Original air date: Sept. 16, 1984

Hey, Tubbs…ever consider a career in Southern law enforcement?” – Crockett

Miami Vice premiered on September 16, 1984 with a two-hour season premiere. The episode titled “Brother’s Keeper” garnered critical acclaim, and the series went on to become a symbol of the times. Legend has it that NBC President Brandon Tartikoff started the ball rolling after he scribbled “MTV Cops” on a napkin, and then went looking for someone at NBC to produce the show. However the series was actually the brainchild of scriptwriter-turned-director Michael Mann (coming off the critical success of Manhunter), and Hill Street Blues writer-producer Anthony Yerkovich, who was already drafting the idea based by news stories about the thriving drug trade in Florida. But regardless what Yerkovich brought to the table, the show’s most dominant creative force was Michael Mann.

Miami Vice

Season 1, Episode 1: “Brother’s Keeper” (Pilot)

Directed by Thomas Carter

Written by Anthony Yerkovich

Original air date: Sept. 16, 1984

Hey, Tubbs…ever consider a career in Southern law enforcement?” – Crockett

Miami Vice premiered on September 16, 1984 with a two-hour season premiere. The episode titled “Brother’s Keeper” garnered critical acclaim, and the series went on to become a symbol of the times. Legend has it that NBC President Brandon Tartikoff started the ball rolling after he scribbled “MTV Cops” on a napkin, and then went looking for someone at NBC to produce the show. However the series was actually the brainchild of scriptwriter-turned-director Michael Mann (coming off the critical success of Manhunter), and Hill Street Blues writer-producer Anthony Yerkovich, who was already drafting the idea based by news stories about the thriving drug trade in Florida. But regardless what Yerkovich brought to the table, the show’s most dominant creative force was Michael Mann.

Legendary horror icon Alice Cooper sang about Jason. The Fat Boys rapped about Freddy. Nobody sings about Michael Myers, although he did have a famous rocker direct him in two movies. But who croons for Leatherface?

The answer to that question is the San Francisco metal band Lääz Rockit. They recorded a song about Leatherface titled “Leatherface” as the theme to the much maligned 1989 threequel Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III. In fact, there was a whole soundtrack album, of which 90% of the songs are never heard anywhere in the film. I’m fairly certain a hard rock version of “Monster Mash” never played at any point during that movie. Lääz Rockit’s power thrashing homage to everyone’s favorite chainsaw-wielding skin-masked man is mostly forgotten about today, possibly because it was only ever available on the now mostly forgotten about soundtrack album.

I swear for the longest time I thought...

If you’ve ever watched Jay Leno, David Letterman, or Saturday Night Live, then you’ve more than likely laughed at one of Dave Drabik’s jokes.

This Atlanta based comedy writer, and Founder of Fine Line Productions, is one of the funniest most down to earth people you’ll ever meet. Iae had the chance to sit down and talk with Dave about his awesome career as a writer on some of TV’s biggest shows.

Iae: Where are you from and what got you interested in entertainment?

Dd: I grew up mostly in Virginia, but have lived and worked in New York, La, and now Atlanta. I’ve always loved making people laugh. It’s all about comedy for me.

Iae: What would you say is your career focus?

Dd: By trade I’m a comedy writer/director/producer and I like the ability to affect people positively.