On Saturday, November 19th at 1:00 pm The family of the Grammy nominated Tribe Called Quest member Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor will unveil the co-naming of a portion of Linden Boulevard at 192nd Street in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens.
This famous corner was where the location of the classic Tribe Called Quest “Check the Rhyme” video was filmed. The street will now be renamed “Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor Way”. The office of Council Member Daneek Miller; the representative for District 27, initiated the request to co-name the street. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill at City Hall in Lower Manhattan on August 3, 2016.
The family is honored for this acknowledgment. “The thought of having Linden Boulevard at 192, renamed to Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor is indescribable. This is a perfect representation of who Malik was, and what Queens meant to him. Whenever he mentioned Queens, Linden Boulevard at 192, was a focal point of reference, so I am certain he would be pleased with having it renamed in his honor” says Phife’s wife, Deisha Head Taylor.
His mother and renowned poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor reflects and adds, “I’m in awe as an immigrant mother. My family came from Trinidad to the US in the 50’s and 60’s. We worked as housekeepers, nannies and home attendants to educate ourselves and our children. For a moment I lost faith in this country but the renaming of 192nd St. & Linden after my son Malik, has made my American Dream come true. He was an incredible child and I was blessed to know and love him.”
The family of Phife has also partnered with Teespring, an on-demand ecommerce platform, to create a unique t-shirt that will be available for a limited time. You can purchase it here.
The event on November 19th is open to the public. Visit atribecalledquest.com for more information.
