PARK SLOPE — Community Board 6 will weigh in Thursday on an effort to rename a local street after a dead rapper.
The board's transportation committee will hear from friends and fans of Park Slope native Robert Diaz, who performed under the name Pumpkinhead, on why they want Degraw Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues renamed after him.
The public can comment at the meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Visitation Parish Chapel, at 98 Richards St. in Red Hook.
Diaz grew up in Park Slope and often referenced the neighborhood in his music. The underground battle rapper died suddenly this year at 39, leaving behind a pregnant wife and two young children.
Claudia Imperiale, who's leading the street renaming effort, told DNAinfo New York last month that she wants Diaz's three children to know about their father's role in hip-hop. She said Diaz never gave up on his dreams and refused to change his music to match commercial tastes.
"It's important for him to be remembered," Imperiale said in August. "There are barely any original Park Slopers left in Park Slope. He was an important part of it... He loved his art, he loved rapping, he loved doing it. It's an important message for people to not give up.”
Imperiale has gathered more than 1,300 signatures supporting the street naming. The co-owner of the now-closed Fifth Avenue music venue Southpaw, where Diaz performed frequently, is scheduled to speak at the meeting along with Imperiale, she said.
To move forward, the street renaming will require the approval of the full community board and the City Council.
