Miami is naming streets after iconic songs by artists from its Liberty City neighborhood, honoring Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina, City Girls, JT Money, Pitbull, and Flo Rida.
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved these street names Tuesday as part of Commissioner Keon Hardemon’s economic revival plan for Liberty City, NBC 6 South Florida reports.
“If you play this music to the people who are from this area, they are going to light up like it’s the Fourth of July,” Hardemon said. “The essence of this is to encourage economic development in our community.”
“In the 1950s or so, during the time of segregation, 18th Avenue was the place to be. It had juke joints, bars, restaurants, and living quarters […] that’s why they named it Broadway.”
City officials hope these street names will help Liberty City compete with Miami’s other trendy areas.
The selection process favored artists with Billboard chart success who have boosted Miami-Dade’s cultural identity and economy through concerts or philanthropy.
Some locals voiced concerns about explicit lyrics, leading to changes like replacing Pretty Ricky’s “Grind With Me” with Jacki-O’s “People Change.”
New York City has similarly honored rap artists with streets named after Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Kool Herc, and Beastie Boys.
