Photo: Angela George

2021 Emmy Awards Open With Biz Markie-Themed Song: Watch + Listen

Host of the event, Cedric the Entertainer opened Sunday night’s 73rd Emmy Awards with a musical number that parodied Biz Markie‘s 1989 classic, “Just a Friend.”

Cedric started the song off by adjusting the lyrics of the beloved rap title to more TV-themed content and was quickly joined by a bevy of other TV celebs, including old stool rapper and “NCIS: LA” star LL Cool J, rapper and “Dave” co-creator and star Dave “Lil Dicky” Burd, along with singer/actress (and Tom Hanks’ spouse,) Rita Wilson.

During the all-engaging sing along, multiple audience members got in on the fun as well, including Anthony Anderson, Diana Ross’ daughter Tracee Ellis-Ross, Billy Porter, and Mj Rodriguez.

Following the opening number, Cedric rejoined the crowd for his monologue, joking about the COVID vaccination requirements saying “We had to get vaxed to come here. I did not have a reaction like Nicki Minaj’s cousin…I got Pfizer, that’s the Neiman Marcus of vaccines. Moderna is Macy’s. And Johnson & Johnson is TJ Maxx.”

The tribute to Markie came after the rapper died in July at age 57 from diabetes-related complications.

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Author: Brad LeBeau

Photo: Angela George