Rumors spread on social media tonight that New York rap icon Biz Markie had died, but those rumors are not true. Biz Markie is still alive and under medical care, his manager Jenni Izumi confirmed in a statement. Many people, including prominent artists like Pharrell and Talib Kweli, shared their reactions as Biz Markie trended on Twitter in the early hours of this morning

“The news of Biz Markie’s passing is not true,” Izumi wrote. “Biz is still under medical care, surrounded by professionals who are working hard to provide the best health care possible. Biz’s wife and family are touched by the outpouring of love and admiration from his friends, peers and fans alike. At this time, we ask for your continued thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The rumors tonight follow reports of health scares in the recent past. Markie was hospitalized in 2020 for an illness related to Type II Diabetes and reportedly suffered a stroke.