Phife Dawg Public Memorial Held in Late Rapper’s New York Hometown

As the hip-hop community come to grips with the sad reality that Phife Dawg is no longer here with us, the late rapper’s life is being celebrated today (April 4) in his hometown of Queens, N.Y.

A Tribe Called Quest is hosting a public memorial in celebration of the Five-Foot Assassin at Queens’ St. Alban’s Park. It will begin at 10:30AM and the first 250 fans will receive a special gift.

If you are familiar with ATCQ’s song “Check the Rhime,” then you would know that Phife grew up in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens.

Since Phife's death, two online petitions were created to honor the late ATCQ rhymer. One petition, created by Tee Smith of the Hip-Hop Discussion Group, is requesting that New York City councilmembers I. Daneek Miller and Melissa Mark-Viverito rename a block of Linden Blvd. to A Tribe Called Quest Boulevard.

Another petition, supported by ATCQ member Jarobi White, wants to have St. Albans Park renamed Malik Taylor Park. (For those who don't know, Phife Dawg’s real name is Malik Issac Taylor.)

Both of these online petitions need your support so add your digital signatures to them.

Rest in peace, Phife Dawg.