in memoriam

In 1986 MC Shan released a song about the housing project where he lived (Queensbridge) entitled The Bridge, which became a tremendous hit:

Ladies and Gentleman
We got MC Shan and Marley Marl in the house tonight
They just came from off tour and they wanna tell you a little story about where they come from
The Bridge(scratched) (3X)
Queensbridge

Up the street in Queensview I was busy turning fourteen. America was pushing two hundred and ten. Carvel ice cream birthday cake melting on the countertop, we watched 4th of July fireworks from my grandparent’s 10th floor bedroom window. Grucci specials exploded over the twin towers. Firecrackers, gunshots, and sirens sounded up close and personal in the Queens streets below. And something else. Something else had to be going on somewhere. Graffiti tagging, all night ghetto blasting, and maybe some b-ball trash talking in the D.S. Park.

Hip-hop was set out in the dark
They used to do it out in the park

I couldn’t sleep, those stifling Long Island City summers. My grandmother insisted: Insomniacs sleep more than they think they do. I’m telling you, I was up all night pacing the apartment. Well then you would have run into your grandfather and I; we can’t sleep either. Can’t argue with that logic. MC Shan was right:

if you wasn't from this town
then you couldn't fight and win

Sleep tight G.F.


Queensview March 9, 2003


Queensbridge March 6, 2007
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