Rangel Houses (officially Ralph J. Rangel Houses), a NYCHA public housing development in Harlem/Washington Heights, Manhattan (completed in 1951 and renamed in 1977 after community leader Ralph J. Rangel), has produced or been home to several notable figures, especially in hip-hop music and basketball.12

Here are the most prominent ones, based on reliable sources like Wikipedia listings of residents and articles on NYC housing projects. These individuals grew up or were raised there during key parts of their lives:

• Biz Markie (Marcel Theo Hall, 1964–2021): Rapper, singer, DJ, beatboxer, and comedian, famously nicknamed the “Clown Prince of Hip Hop” for his humorous, playful style. He is best known for his 1989 platinum hit “Just a Friend” (from the album The Biz Never Sleeps), a hip-hop classic that reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a pop culture staple. He was part of the Juice Crew, released influential albums in the late 1980s/early 1990s, and later appeared in films (Men in Black II), TV shows, and voiced characters. Multiple sources confirm he grew up in the Rangel Houses.23
• Kool DJ Red Alert (Frederick Crute, born 1956): Pioneering hip-hop disc jockey and radio personality, widely regarded as one of the founding figures of hip-hop culture. Born in Antigua and raised in Harlem, he hosted the influential “KISS Master Mix Party” on 98.7 Kiss FM starting in the 1980s, where he broke and promoted artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Black Sheep, and others. He helped shape early hip-hop through mixtapes, club play, and involvement in scenes like the Zulu Nation, and has had a long career across stations like Hot 97 and WBLS. Sources list him as a notable Rangel Houses resident.14
• Jamal Mashburn (born 1972): Former NBA small forward and entrepreneur. Explicitly raised in the Rangel Houses (where he honed his game near Rucker Park), he became a star at the University of Kentucky (consensus First Team All-American, SEC Player of the Year, led team to Final Four) before being selected 4th overall in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He played 12 seasons (mainly with the Mavericks, Miami Heat, and Hornets/New Orleans teams), averaging 19.1 ppg, earned NBA All-Star honors in 2003, and made the All-NBA Third Team. Post-retirement, he succeeded in business.25

Other notable mentions (primarily from a dedicated Rangel Houses community/resident site) include music industry figures who grew up there:

• Andre Harrell (1960–2020): Influential music executive, producer, and entrepreneur who founded Uptown Records. He signed and developed major acts like Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Guy, and Heavy D & the Boyz, and gave Sean “Diddy” Combs his start in the industry. He helped define the polished, aspirational sound and image of 1990s new jack swing, R&B, and hip-hop soul before roles at Motown and elsewhere.6
• Marva Hicks (born 1956): Singer and actress known for Broadway work (including The Lion King) and collaborations with artists like Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.7
• Kel Spencer (born 1980): Rapper, songwriter, and producer who has worked with artists like Busta Rhymes and KRS-One and released mixtapes.7

These individuals highlight how the development, like many NYCHA projects in Harlem, served as a launching pad for talent in entertainment and sports despite the challenges of public housing. Note that Congressman Charles Rangel (for whom the naming is sometimes loosely associated via family) was born in 1930 and grew up in Harlem earlier, before the houses existed in their current form (his brother Ralph J. Rangel was the community leader after whom they were renamed).8

Information on exact residency can vary slightly by source, as people may have moved or spent formative years in the area, but the above are consistently tied to Rangel Houses in reporting on notable alumni.

Rangel Houses are a public housing project owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). The housing complex consists of eight 14-story buildings and is located between the Harlem River Drive and the Harlem River Driveway in the Washington Heights and Harlem neighborhoods of Manhattan.1 The NYCHA property was completed in September 1951 and was previously called the Colonial Park Houses, renamed in 1977 after Ralph J. Rangel, the brother of Congressman Charles Rangel.1

🌟 Famous & Notable People from Rangel Houses

1. 🎧 Kool DJ Red Alert — Pioneer DJ / Radio Personality / Hip-Hop Legend

Frederick Crute (born November 27, 1956), known professionally as Kool DJ Red Alert, is an Antiguan-American disc jockey who rose to fame on WRKS 98.7 Kiss FM in New York City and is recognized as one of the founding fathers of hip hop music and culture.2

Kool DJ Red Alert was born in Antigua, West Indies and grew up in Harlem, New York City. As he attended public school located next to iconic basketball court Rucker Park, he was given his nickname “Red Alert” as a teenager for his natural reddish hair and for his “alert” sense on defense when playing basketball.2

He is a pioneering hip hop deejay who is heavily responsible for the emergence of rap music on the radio airwaves during the early eighties, rising to fame on his legendary mixshow “Red Alert Goes Baserk” on New York’s KISS 98.7 FM, which first aired in 1983.3

He helped launch the careers of several legendary Hip-Hop acts including KRS One’s collective Boogie Down Productions, Native Tongue Collective acts Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Black Sheep, and Monie Love.4

Accolades and awards in Red Alert’s honor include appointment as an Ambassador to Music by the United Nations; 1997 Mixshow DJ of the Year by Gavin Magazine; Lifetime Achievement Award from music trade publication Impact in 1998; one of the 50 most influential people in music by Rolling Stone magazine; and the only hip hop deejay honored with a display in the Radio Section of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.5

2. 🎤 Biz Markie — Rapper / DJ / Beatboxer / Entertainer

Respected DJ, beatboxer, rapper, and goofball Biz Markie also grew up in the Rangel Houses.6

Biz Markie (born Marcel Theo Hall, 1964–2021) was one of hip-hop’s most beloved and entertaining personalities. Known as “The Clown Prince of Hip-Hop,” he was famous for his comedic style, extraordinary beatboxing skills, and his 1989 hit song “Just a Friend,” which became one of the most recognizable rap songs of all time and reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. He was also an acclaimed DJ and appeared in films and TV shows throughout his career. Biz Markie passed away in July 2021, but his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most joyful and unique figures lives on.

3. 🏀 Jamal Mashburn — NBA Basketball Player / Businessman

Former NBA player Jamal Mashburn also grew up in the Rangel Houses. His accomplishments at the University of Kentucky — Consensus First Team All-American and SEC Player of the Year in 1993 — and the NBA, including an appearance in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, are still notable achievements. His nickname “Monster Mash” was even engraved in the basketball court behind the projects he grew up in.6

Mashburn was the 4th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He had a successful pro career playing for the Mavericks, Miami Heat, and New Orleans Hornets, averaging over 19 points per game for his career. After retiring from basketball, he became a highly successful businessman, owning multiple car dealerships and restaurant franchises across the country.

🏆 Summary Table

All three are shining examples of how the Rangel Houses in Harlem produced iconic talent across music and sports! 🌟