Block on ‘The Boulevard of Linden’ To Be Named After Phife Dawg

By Sameer Rao Aug 01, 2016

A Tribe Called Quest turned Queens’ Linden Boulevard into a hip-hop landmark with eight simple words at the beginning of "Check the Rhime": "Back in the days on the boulevard of Linden." Now, New York City will recognize Tribe member Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor by naming a stretch of that street after him.

Okayplayer reported Saturday (July 30) that mayor Bill de Blasio will sign a bill this Wednesday (August 3) officially co-naming Linden Boulevard at 192nd Street to "Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor Way." Gothamist confirmed the news with local city councilman Daneek Miller’s office today (August 1), adding that the signing ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at City Hall. As immortilized in "Check the Rhime," Phife Dawg first met Q-Tip at that interesection.

Phife Dawg was 45 years old when he died in March. The rapper struggled with diabetes, complications from which required two kindey transplants before his death. He inspired many tributes, including a mural at the aformentioned intersection.

(H/t TMZ)