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Big Pun Might Not Have New York Street Renamed For Him
05/03/2001 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Anna Maria Gibson
(5/3/01, 4 p.m. ET) -- There likely will not be a New York City intersection renamed for late rapper Christopher "Big Pun" Rios since some city officials, including Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, oppose the move due to the nature of his music. John Banks, chief of staff to City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, told New York's Daily News that the vote on the renaming was put off because some members had complained about Big Pun's "misogynistic" and obscene lyrics. The bill also faced an uphill battle since aides to Mayor Giuliani had signaled he would veto the legislation.
After he died of heart failure at age 28 on February 7, 2000, Big Pun's fans launched a petition campaign and ultimately collected 7,000 signatures requesting that a street intersection in the Bronx--located at 163rd Street and Rogers Place--be renamed Big Pun Place. Many of those calling for the renaming remembered Big Pun as a mild-mannered rapper and family man who did a lot for his community.
The idea had the backing of Pedro G. Espada, the area's young city councilman who grew up with Big Pun in the South Bronx and sponsored legislation that would have renamed the intersection. Although the bill is in limbo, Espada said he would still like to see it come to a vote, and he argued that the change has the support of the community, saying, "They're the ones that live with the street (name), not the Council."
Before his death, Big Pun made two hit albums--Capital Punishment and Yeeeah Baby--and he was the first Latino hip-hop artist to go platinum for sales of 1 million albums. In stores now is Endangered Species, a compilation of Big Pun's greatest hits and songs recorded by others that featured his vocals.
-- Anna Maria Gibson, New York
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