The hip-hop world experienced great loss this year when legendary MC Phife Dawg passed away at the age 45. Soon after the tragic news, many artists paid tribute to the A Tribe Called Quest co-founder with series of performances as well as spoken testimonials. And now, it appears New York City will further immortalize Phife Dawg by officially naming a street after him.
According to OkayPlayer, the late rapper’s management confirmed the city-sanctioned renaming via text message: “Just wanted to let every one know that the New York mayors office just called me and said the mayor is signing the bill to co-name Linden Blvd @ 192 to Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor way on 8/3 at 10am at City Hall, Lower Manhattan.”
The block of Linden Boulevard and 192th Street played a significant role in Phife’s life. In songs like “Steve Biko” and “Check the Rhime,” he rapped about learning his MC skills in the specific location. It's also where he formed A Tribe Called Quest with Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi in 1985.
According to his management’s text message, the street renaming will take place Wednesday at Manhattan’s City Hall.
The news was also announced on the same day A Tribe Called Quest’s fourth album, Beats, Rhymes & Life, turned 20 years old.
Phife Dawg died Mar. 23 of this year from kidney failure.
