Music
Brooklyn community isn't sold on street corner named after Notorious B.I.G.
by Tyler Munro
October 17, 2013
Notorious B.I.G. lived and breathed Brooklyn and nearly 16 years after his death remains a pivotal part of the city's story. Citing his influence, that led LeRoy McCarthy to start a petition to name one of the burrough's Clintin Hill corners after the infamous MC, but a community board was apparently less receptive than the signees when they met to talk about it earlier this week.
Notorious B.I.G. lived and breathed Brooklyn and nearly 16 years after his death remains a pivotal part of the city’s story. Citing his influence, that led LeRoy McCarthy to start a petition to name one of the burrough’s Clintin Hill corners after the infamous MC, but a community board was apparently less receptive than the signees when they met to talk about it earlier this week.
“He started selling drugs at 12, he was a school dropout at 17, he was arrested for drugs and weapons charge, he was arrested for parole violations, he was arrested in North Carolina for crack cocaine, in 1996 he was again arrested for assault, he had a violent death and physically the man is not exactly a role model for youth,” said Lucy Koteen, a board member who says she “looked up the rapper’s history.”
“I don’t see how this guy was a role model and frankly it offends me,” she continued.
And honestly? She kind of has a point. Biggie’s talent was undeniable and his influence is almost unmatched, but he rarely wrote about the kind of things you’d want a kid to be inspired by. Sure, there’s the rags-to-riches rise, but the journey? It’s not exactly as impressive as the payoff.
McCarthy says that board members shouldn’t hold it against him, noting that “Biggie used language from the streets he grew up in to convey what he wanted to say.”
Thoughts? [via Pitchfork]
Tags: Music, News, Notorious B.I.G.
