Tribe Called Quest Starts Online Petition to Rename Queens Park for Phife Dawg

Hip-hop lovers are still mourning the death of A Tribe Called Quest member Phife Dawg, who died March 22 at the age of 45. Group members are now leading the charge online to have a Queens, New York, park named in his honor.

According to the New York Daily News, Jarobi White sparked a frenzy after requesting the help of Phife Dawg's Facebook fans with a petition to rename St. Albans Park to Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor Park.

According to White, the park has sentimental value for Tribe, because they would hang out and freestyle before they hit it big.

The petition, listed on the petition site, has a goal of 4,000 signatures and has already exceeded well over 3,000 (at the time of article). The synopsis of the cause described the influence of Phife's music on New York and the world, and requests that his spirit and legacy live on through the renaming of the park.

"Malik 'Phife Dawg' Taylor's national and international cultural influence, via music and sports has left a positive effect on many lives today. St. Albans Park nurtured and entertained the spirit of 'Phife Dawg.' Therefore, it is believed that an honor should be bestowed on Malik Taylor and St. Albans Park in renaming St. Albans Park into Malik Taylor Park."

Since his death there has been an outpouring of love and support from fellow rappers, entertainers and fans.

Ed Lover and Monie Love, host of an Atlanta old school hip-hop radio show dedicated their Wednesday show to the rap pioneer, according to WSBTV. Others, like R&B artist Elle Varner, reflected on Taylor's musical influence with a tweet.

Tags

Phife Dawg, A Tribe Called Quest