NO, NO, NOTORIOUS!
Furor at bid to name hoops park for Biggie
This idea is no slam dunk. Brooklyn residents are beefing over whether to name a local basketball court after murdered hiphop legend Biggie Smalls.
City Councilman Robert Cornegy (D–Bedford-Stuyvesant) proposed the tribute-naming for the four hoops at Crispus Attucks Playground in Clinton Hill at a community-board meeting June 23. But critics are trying to block the shot.
“He’s an inappropriate role model for kids,” local Lucy Koteen, 68, told The Post. “Somebody who was regularly arrested for selling drugs and carrying illegal guns and rapped about being misogynistic to women shouldn’t be celebrated.”
Koteen, who also protested in 2013 against the naming of a Clinton Hill street corner after Biggie, handed out printed, profanitylaced lyrics of the rap artist’s 1994 smash hit “Juicy” at the board meeting to make a point.
“I said, ‘ Who will read this out loud?’” Koteen recounted. “And of course there were no takers.”
Biggie was arrested seven times from 1989 to 1996 for weapons possession, cocaine dealing, assault and violating probation.
Clinton Hill resident Roger Barnett, 63, thinks the naming is “a bad idea.”
“I don’t like what he represents,” said Barnett. “He spreads stupid ideas like gang violence and drugs. Name it after Michael Jordan, or someone good who everyone likes.”
Christopher Wallace, ak a The Notorious B.I.G., grew up just a few blocks from the basketball courts — on St. James Place in the same apartment building as Cornegy.
“Part of this is very personal,” the pol told The Post. “I made his mom a promise that I would do everything I could in my power to help honor his legacy.
“It’s not about the lyrics,” said Cornegy. “It’s about his legacy . . . commitment and artistic contributions to the hip-hop music genre and the industry itself.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the rap icon’s death. He was shot in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.
Many locals are equally hyped to keep the “Big Poppa” wordsmith’s memory alive.
“It’s like giving back for what he did for us,” said Darnay Burns, 51, referring to Biggie’s gift of music. “It will also encourage the kids to appreciate and take care of the space.”
Local teen Fatimata Ly spoke to The Post at the courts and considers Biggie one of her heroes.
“He’s inspirational. Even though he went through tough times, he still made it,” the 13-year-old said.
The proposal was passed by Community Board 2’s Executive Committee Monday and now faces a City Council vote.
“I expect it to be passed with no problems,” said Cornegy.