Memphis Honors Rap/Hip-Hop Legends 8Ball & MJG with Honorary Street Renaming

The City of Memphis has paid a lasting tribute to two of its most influential hip-hop artists, 8Ball & MJG, by renaming a prominent intersection in their honor. Over the weekend, the legendary rap duo was celebrated at a street renaming ceremony attended by Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Police Chief CJ Davis, and members of the community.

Park Avenue in Orange Mound, a neighborhood synonymous with the group’s roots, has been renamed MJG Avenue, while Airways Boulevard will now be known as 8Ball Boulevard. The location holds deep personal significance, as MJG spent his formative years living just a stone’s throw away on Sample Street.

“Across the country, when people talk about Memphis, they mention Elvis. But they also mention 8Ball and MJG,” said Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley during the ceremony. He emphasized the impact the duo has had on both the local community and the broader hip-hop culture.

The celebration comes decades after 8Ball & MJG first rose to prominence with their 1993 debut album, Comin’ Out Hard. Since then, the pair have released multiple albums, garnering a devoted fanbase and solidifying their legacy as pioneers of Southern hip-hop.

The street renaming also follows their 2018 induction into the Memphis Hall of Fame, further cementing their place in the city’s cultural heritage. Addressing the crowd, 8Ball expressed his gratitude, acknowledging how meaningful it is to receive such recognition in the very neighborhood that shaped them.

“Aye, look, the significance of that corner is that MJG lived his first 18 years of his life right here at Park Avenue and Airways,” said 8Ball, reflecting on the significance of the newly renamed streets.

The duo, who met at Ridgeway Middle School and went on to become a cornerstone of Memphis’ music scene, continue to give back to their hometown. Their presence remains strong in the community, and their influence extends beyond music, inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams.

The honorary street renaming ceremony was more than just a celebration of 8Ball & MJG’s music—it was a celebration of their impact on Memphis’ rap and hip-hop music scene.