The 73rd Emmy Awards kicked off on CBS Sunday night (Sept 19) with a tribute to Biz Markie led by Emmys host Cedric the Entertainer.

Cedric led a spoof of Biz's 1988 hit "Just A Friend," with lyrics that referenced television's biggest night. LL COOL J added a stellar verse of his own to the tune, with rapper and Dave co-creator/star Lil Dicky and actress Rita Wilson joining in, as well as Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis-Ross, Billy Porter, and MJ Rodriguez.

Biz, born Marcel Hall, died in July at the age of 57. It was reported at the time that Markie had been suffering complications from diabetes at the time of his death.