Staten Island gets its own Wu-Tang Clan District

Community members and local politicians officially renamed the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Targee Street in Staten Island for the Wu-Tang Clan, honoring the legendary hip-hop group and its members’ contributions to their native borough.

Wu-Tang Clan members, including Raekwon, Cappadonna, and Ghostface Killah, attended the packed—and rainy—celebration on Saturday in the Park Hill section of Clifton, the Staten Island Advance reported. Elected officials, including public advocate Jumaane Williams and Congressman Max Rose, were also in attendance.

“The Wu-Tang Clan turned their experiences growing up in Park Hill into something that now resonates with people all over the world, with young people who live in urban settings, young people whose neighborhoods are underserved, and young people who face economic and social challenges,” council member Debi Rose said in a statement.

“Wu-Tang’s story is one of inspiration, and I was proud to commemorate their story and their contributions with the highest honor the City Council can give—This district is a celebration of Wu-Tang’s inspiration to the world and a celebration of their home, Shaolin,” Rose added.

Back in December, the City Council voted to approve a set of street renamings including Wu-Tang Clan’s in Staten Island and Biggie Smalls’s in Brooklyn, followed by requests from culture advocate LeRoy McCarthy.

“I’m happy that NYC officials are finally giving the city’s indigenous ‘Hip Hop’ music the respect and recognition that it deserves,” McCarthy told Gothamist at the time.