Big Pun Family and Supporters Relaunch Street Renaming Efforts

Big Pun, the acclaimed Bronx rapper who died of a heart attack in 2000, continues to live on in music, in art, and, if his family, friends and supporters have their way, on a street sign, an honor New York City occasionally bestows upon its fallen.

An effort to name a street after Big Punisher, real name Christopher Rios, shortly after his death could not find the support it needed, says the Daily News, after the city determined Big Pun’s lyrics to be too “racy and violent.”

But, as Rios’ mother points out to the NYDN, “If you listened to his lyrics, he also talked about struggles, about family life, about strife, about poverty and overcoming.”

For those in support of the efforts to rename E 163rd and Rogers Place in the Bronx renamed “Big Pun Place,” there are two things you can do. First, Pun’s sister Nicole Rodriguez, is collecting signatures via an online petition. Go to www.BigPunPlace.com to contribute your name to the more than 1,200 already signed up.

Also, on Saturday, April 9, 2011, a rally will be held in support of the idea at the corner being proposed, also the site of a mural in Pun’s honor.