New York City Names Street Corner After Phife Dawg
By Hayden Wright
(RADIO.COM) – A Tribe Called Quest is knee-deep in promo for their unexpected sixth (and final) album We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service. The record was released just months after founding MC Phife Dawg passed away, and his fingerprints survive all across the music.
In addition to his vocals, the remaining Tribe members have looped his image into music videos and Phife himself selected the title. And while his collaborators ride high on this comeback, they made time to recognize Phife's life and legacy when a NYC street corner was named for him over the weekend.
Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor Way can be found at the intersection of 192nd Street in the Saint Albans neighborhood of Queens. Saturday's naming ceremony drew Quest Tribesmen Q-Tip and Jarobi White, as well as Busta Rhymes, radio DJs, city officials, relatives and hundreds of fans.
Phife's widow Desha Head Taylor told Billboard that the section of Queens occupies a special place in their love story.
"When we first met, we flew into JFK, and there was always a route we had to take. We had to stop by Saint Albans park, and stop by 192 and Linden. He always brought me by grandma's house, no matter how many times we came to New York," she said. "He absolutely loved this neighborhood, and this community, and the people he met here growing up."
Q-Tip made time for levity during the commemorative event.
"I know Phife is throwing down New York Jets memorabilia from heaven," the rapper said.
See the fresh street sign in Phife Dawg's honor here:
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