|
Big Pun Is First Rapper Honored By New York State Assembly
02/14/2003 12:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Anna Maria Gibson
(2/14/04, 12 p.m. ET) -- Big Pun has become the first rapper honored by the New York State (NYS) Assembly as the third anniversary of his death is marked. Lawmakers have passed a legislative resolution commemorating the life of the Latino artist, whose given name was Christopher Rios.
Regarding the honor, NYS Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, a Democrat who represents the Bronx, said that the rapper "was a pioneer in music and our community." Diaz also promised to continue supporting "initiatives that will preserve his legacy."
Big Pun, who passed on February 7, 2001, was remembered by the Big Pun Foundation, a nonprofit group named in his honor, at New York City's NYLA restaurant on Thursday (February 13).
The success of Big Pun's 1998 debut album, Capital Punishment, made him the first solo Latino hip-hop artist to achieve platinum status. He has also released two posthumous albums, 2000's Yeeeah Baby and 2001's Endangered Species.
-- Anna Maria Gibson, New York
For more news at LAUNCH, click here.
|
