Biz Markie

Rapper Biz Markie and Warner Bros. Records have agreed to pay songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan a "substantial" financial payment to resolve a copyright infringement lawsuit by the former British pop star, sources close to the case said Tuesday. O'Sullivan filed the suit Nov. 13 in New York charging that "Alone Again," a song on Markie's "I Need a Haircut" album, contains an unauthorized 20-second slice of--or "digital sample" of--O'Sullivan's 1972 hit "Alone Again (Naturally)."

When first generation rapper Doug E. Fresh, former Roots beatmaker Rahzel or "Yo Gabba Gabba" rapper Biz Markie learned to mimic a hip-hop rhythm using only their voices, chances were they had little idea what they were actually doing with their mouths. "Beatboxing,” as it came to be known, includes laryngeal lowering and lingual retraction, labial approximation, velic raising (to seal the nasopharynx off from the oral vocal tract, of course) and rapid raising of the tongue dorsal.

FAMILY A beloved kids TV show leaps from the tube to the stage with Yo Gabba Gabba Live. DJ Lance Rock and his colorful monster pals Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex and Toodee will dance, sing and entertain with help from hip-hop artists Biz Markie and Leslie Hall. Nokia Theatre, 777 Chick Hearn Court, L.A. 2:30 and 6 p.m. Fri.; 11 a.m., 2:30 and 6 p.m. Sat. $35-$140. (213) 763-6020. http://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com

FAMILY A beloved kids TV show leaps from the tube to the stage with Yo Gabba Gabba Live. DJ Lance Rock and his colorful monster pals Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex and Toodee will dance, sing and entertain with help from hip-hop artists Biz Markie and Leslie Hall. Nokia Theatre, 777 Chick Hearn Court, L.A. 2:30 and 6 p.m. Fri.; 11 a.m., 2:30 and 6 p.m. Sat. $35-$140. (213) 763-6020. http://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com

Coming amid the nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, U.S. District Judge Kevin Duffy's decision in the Biz Markie copyright infringement case ("Judge Raps Practice of 'Sampling,' " Dec. 18) serves as a sobering--and much-needed--reminder that the First Amendment is not absolute in its meaning or protections. Nor would the music industry wish it to be. Interpreted literally, the First Amendment's guarantee that "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" would overturn not only the obscenity laws the music industry routinely denounces, but also the copyright laws it strenuously defends.

When first generation rapper Doug E. Fresh, former Roots beatmaker Rahzel or "Yo Gabba Gabba" rapper Biz Markie learned to mimic a hip-hop rhythm using only their voices, chances were they had little idea what they were actually doing with their mouths. "Beatboxing,” as it came to be known, includes laryngeal lowering and lingual retraction, labial approximation, velic raising (to seal the nasopharynx off from the oral vocal tract, of course) and rapid raising of the tongue dorsal.

Robert Townsend is working an agenda in his new film, "The Meteor Man," which he directed, wrote and stars in. It's about what happens when the decent, shy schoolteacher Jefferson Reed gets hit by a meteor and acquires the superpowers that enable him to combat the gang that is terrorizing his neighborhood. It's a fantasy intended to give inner-city black kids a superhero with real meaning in their lives.

On their third album, the British trip-hoppers affect a more upbeat tone as they continue to blenderize pop styles. Indulging their retro passions, they veer confidently from languid bluesiness to jaunty funk to vibrant disco, even offering an old-school-sounding hip-hop ditty featuring a freestyling Biz Markie. Skye Edwards' vocals may be less gloriously depressive, but she's still engagingly contemplative on such tracks as "Love Is Rare."

DIC Enterprises, a Burbank producer of animated children's television programs, said two production companies have entered into a nonexclusive arrangement to jointly produce live-action and combination live action-animated programs for DIC. LMNO Productions, headed by Eric Schotz, a former "Eye on L.A." producer, and K.O. Productions, headed by Kevin O'Donnell, a former DIC executive, are currently developing for DIC a Saturday morning pilot called "Let's Get Bizzy," featuring rapper Biz Markie.

De La Soul headlines the Live at the BBQ hip-hop festival on July 3 at Oak Canyon Ranch in Santiago Canyon. Also on the main stage bill are Common, Reflection Eternal, Mos Def, Biz Markie, Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek, Pharoahe Monch, Souls of Mischief, Dilated Peoples, Jeru the Damaja, Medusa, Aceyalone, X-Ecutioners, Craze, Cash Money and Beat Junkies. A second stage will have performances by Dusk, Mark Luv Drez, Higher Gabe Real and Filthy Immigrants.

Coming amid the nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, U.S. District Judge Kevin Duffy's decision in the Biz Markie copyright infringement case ("Judge Raps Practice of 'Sampling,' " Dec. 18) serves as a sobering--and much-needed--reminder that the First Amendment is not absolute in its meaning or protections. Nor would the music industry wish it to be. Interpreted literally, the First Amendment's guarantee that "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" would overturn not only the obscenity laws the music industry routinely denounces, but also the copyright laws it strenuously defends.

Rapper Biz Markie and Warner Bros. Records have agreed to pay songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan a "substantial" financial payment to resolve a copyright infringement lawsuit by the former British pop star, sources close to the case said Tuesday. O'Sullivan filed the suit Nov. 13 in New York charging that "Alone Again," a song on Markie's "I Need a Haircut" album, contains an unauthorized 20-second slice of--or "digital sample" of--O'Sullivan's 1972 hit "Alone Again (Naturally)."

This hard-core Queens quartet raps ferociously about politics, their street authenticity and underclass struggle on a stellar debut album. KL, Hostyle, Poet and Kyron are all capable rappers who deliver no-nonsense rhymes throughout the 20 tracks. Intense, top-notch beats from DJ Premier (Rakim, the Notorious B.I.G.), Pete Rock (Public Enemy, Raekwon), Marley Marl (LL Cool J, Biz Markie) and others enhance the package.

* ... And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, "Source Tags & Codes," Interscope. The Texans' major-label debut makes good on the promise of the raw energy and intelligence of its independent releases and a reputation for invigoratingly chaotic concerts. Also: Biz Markie, "The Weekend Warrior," Groove/Attack Cher, "Living Proof," Warner Bros.