Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie Smalls & Woody Guthrie getting NYC streets co-named for them

The New York City Council voted on Thursday (12/20) to name three streets after musicians with roots in NYC: Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie Smalls, and Woody Guthrie. As Gothamist reports, the council voted unanimously in favor, 48-0, during its final meeting of the year. Mayor Bill de Blasio still needs to sign off on the bills to make them official; once he does, St. James Place between Fulton Street and Gates Avenue in Brooklyn will be co-named Christopher Wallace Way, Staten Island's Vanderbilt Avenue and Targee Street will become Wu-Tang Clan District, and Mermaid Avenue between West 35 and West 36 streets in Brooklyn's Coney Island will be Woody Guthrie Way.

Brooklyn artist LeRoy McCarthy originally proposed Christopher Wallace Way five years ago. He also spearheaded the push to make Wu-Tang Clan District happen, and has previously helmed the Aretha Franklin subway tribute, A Tribe Called Quest Mural, and Beastie Boys mural. Speaking to Gothamist, McCarthy said, "I'm happy that NYC officials are finally giving the city's indigenous 'Hip Hop' music the respect and recognition that it deserves. It took a long time and lots of hard-work to advance the Christopher Wallace Way & Wu-Tang Clan District street co-naming, but ya know what, Hip Hop Don't Stop."

Wu-Tang Clan have upcoming shows celebrating the 25th anniversary of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), including two nights at NYC's Terminal 5. Night one at Terminal 5 is sold out but tickets are on sale for night two, January 27.