'Rep Your Hood': Park Slope Rapper Pumpkinhead Memorialized In Passionate Street Renaming Ceremony

Photo by Ben ‘Sted’ McRoberts

Park Slope rapper Robert “PH” Diaz was memorialized in a stirring and celebratory street renaming last Saturday, April 23, which served as a rousing tribute to the former Degraw Street resident.

Robert “PH” Diaz, (Pumpkinhead). (Photo courtesy of family)

Diaz, who performed and recorded under the name Pumpkinhead, died at age 39 on June 9 last year after undergoing minor surgery. Childhood friend Claudia Imperiale tells us the cause of death involved complications from pancreatitis.

Imperiale estimates that nearly 100 people attended the unveiling, which took place at the corner of Degraw Street and 5th Avenue. Diaz grew up on Degraw Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. “It was beautiful, amazing, and insanely overwhelming,” she says.

Unveiling of Robert “PH” Diaz Way on Saturday, April 23, 2016. (Via YouTube)

After the street renaming (or co-naming in the parlance of the Department of Transportation) passed handily in a vote by the Community Board 6 Transportation/Public Safety Committee on September 17, 2015, the City Council made the memorial official on February 5.

Malik Rashawn, aka Mr Mecca, paid homage to Diaz’s family while speaking at the ceremony:

“This is all he ever wanted, this is all he ever asked for. Not the accolades, not the deal, not the money. For his people to be together, standing next to each other having a good time.”

“And today we got a Street. And his children are going to stand on that street. And his children can come see what kind of a great man their father was. And his wife can see how much he was loved by everybody. And his daughter is going to grow up and see these videos and understands the kind of man she came from. And there’s nothing better than that.”

Shawntay Ocasio (wife to Robert “PH” Diaz) with their children, Raiden, Royce, and Robbie Diaz. (Photo by Claudia Imperiale)

Diaz’s family — who now live in Bay Ridge — includes his wife Shawntay Ocasio, as well as children Raiden, Royce, and Robbie. Diaz died while Ocasio was pregnant with now five-month-old daughter Robbie.

Imperiale, who grew up on 2nd Street between 8th Avenue and Prospect Park West, explains that her family and ancestors have lived in Park Slope for 140 years. She believes that Diaz’s life represents something significant to the history of the Park Slope community:

“The unveiling of the street sign, Robert “PH” Diaz Way, was a very important day for all of us. It was important for the original Park Slopers, it was important for his friends and family and it was important for Hip Hop.

Rob will forever be recognized and remembered in the city that he loved, in the neighborhood that made him who he was. The street sign is bitter sweet, it makes it real. We know that Rob is not coming back to us, but he has been given the respect and honor that he so rightfully deserved!”

Raiden and Royce Diaz, sons of Robert “PH” Diaz. (Photo courtesy of Claudia Imperiale)

One of Diaz’s well-loved songs is called “Park Slope,” which includes lyrics:

“Yo, where you from kid?
Park Slope! That’s my ‘hood y’all
Rep your hood
Be proud of it.”

In addition to Diaz’s rap legacy, Imperiale believes his story will be of interest to Park Slopers of today who weren’t familiar with his life. “I remember when 5th Avenue was unchartered territory,” she says. “I was a white woman from 2nd Street. It was different, and that’s what made being here so amazing.”

And the inclusion continues for those who knew Diaz. Imperiale didn’t know Diaz’s wife or kids very well until the street renaming came about.

“I lost Rob, but I gained a family. We all did.”