Prodigy, one-half of the legendary hip hop group Mobb Deep, is set to get his own street. According to reports, the proposal to rename a street in Queensbridge, New York after the late rapper was recently approved. The corner of 12th Street and 41st Road, located in Queensbridge Houses, will be designated “Prodigy Way” sometime in 2022.
The “Shook Ones” emcee, a native of Hempstead, Long Island, often frequented Queensbridge, the hometown of fellow Mobb Deep member Havoc. The two met at the High School of Arts & Design in Manhattan, NY before going on to pursue their music careers. After years of dropping hits and cementing their names in hip hip history, Prodigy, who suffered from sickle anemia, was hospitalized. Amid his stay, he reportedly choked while eating an egg. He passed away in June 2017 as a result of accidental choking.
In the wake of Prodigy’s death, Havoc paid tribute to his group member with social media tributes, a performance at the 2017 BET Awards and most recently, by pushing for the street dedication alongside Prodigy’s family, Big Twins, and the Fathers Alive in the Hood nonprofit. “Prodigy Way,” they hope, will honor the life and musical legacy of the late rapper. “About time,” Havoc wrote in a post announcing the upcoming unveiling.
Prodigy will join a list of emcees who were honored with their own streets after they passed away. Most recently, the life of Young Dolph, who was shot and killed in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, was celebrated as his loved ones watched the unveiling of Adolph “Young Dolph” Thornton, Jr. Avenue at the intersection at Dunn and Airways.
“[This is] what I’m hoping for this community: every time each and every person drives by the sign, they see Adolph Robert Thornton Jr,” Dolph’s longtime partner, Mia Jaye said at the renaming ceremony. “When you see that name that you’re inspired to just make a difference and to just to make a change a small change in giving and loving and just being a better person for the betterment of this community.”
See Havoc’s post about Prodigy’s forthcoming street below.