Every night, you see The Roots get busy on television as the opening act for The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. As recording artists, they have given you hits and hits, proudly continuing in the proud heritage of Philadelphian entertainers.

Now, because of the work that they have put in, their hometown will be memorializing them by naming one of the streets where they used to kick rhymes for free after them.

According to the Philly Tribune, this May the Philadelphia City Council will dub East Passyunk Avenue (between South Street and Bainbridge Street), “Avenue of The Roots.”

Hip-Hopper Leroy McCarthy contacted Philly Councilmember Mark Squilla’s office about a street honoring the request and it worked. Squilla got excited about this opportunity.

But this was all a part of his plan.

McCarthy was key in getting St. James Place between Gates Avenue and Fulton changed to Christopher Wallace Way.

“They had first started there on Passyunk and South Street, that’s where they would go and do their singing at night,” said Councilmember Squilla, who introduced the resolution. “Philadelphia is still a land of music and arts and culture, and the more we bring attention to it, the better we are.”

Now after getting The Roots and Biggie done, what is next for him is Tupac in Oakland.

Philly has named streets after artists before.

Another Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson worked to get one part of Broad Street to change its name to “Boyz II Men Boulevard.”

The resolution for The Roots street naming says:

“The Roots started their performance experience by busking on the streets of Philadelphia. East Passyunk Avenue and South Street was one of their main locations. Since then, The Roots have taken Philadelphia with them on television nightly and to audiences worldwide. The Roots are, and will always be, appreciated as a talented band from the streets of Philadelphia.”

The actual street-naming ceremony will occur at the 13th Roots Picnic will take place at the Mann Center in Fairmount Park.

The post The Roots Get Their Own Street in South Philly Named After Them appeared first on The Source.

Click Here to Discuss in the Forums