T-Pain Honored with Tallahassee’s Key to the City + Street Dedication.
On Sunday (Nov.10), Tallahassee celebrated its hometown hero, T-Pain, with a Key to the City and a street dedication.
It only seemed right that one stretch of road, a portion of Pasco Street from Orange Avenue to Tucker Street that ends at Bond Elementary School, would be named “T-Pain Lane” by the city of Tallahassee.
— Nappy Boy Entertainment (@NappyBoyEnt) November 11, 2024
It’s the same street he walked as a child from Nims Middle School to the Walker Ford Community Center — one of his favorite childhood hangouts and where he donated resources for a music studio and other needs once he made it big.
His mom, Aliyah Najm, beamed with pride as she and T-Pain’s family exited a sprinter van just before the street dedication. She hugged and greeted people who knew her son before the fame.
She said, “How awesome is it to have a street name after you while you’re still living?”
“I’m extremely proud of my son at this moment because of the fact that he’s worked so hard to become the gentleman and the person that he is today in the music industry,” Najm said. “He had some ups and downs, but he made it through. Now he’s being recognized for it.”
Shaheed Najm, T-Pain’s dad, was equally proud of his musical son and the moment they all got to share as a family and community.
“It means a lot to me to see what we started come full circle,” Najm said. “We’re very proud and appreciative of what the city is doing today.”
Leading up to the big day, both the city of Tallahassee and Leon County played major roles in making the day feel like a hero’s welcome. The city orchestrated the street dedication and key ceremonies. Visit Tallahassee, the tourism arm of Leon County government, hosted the bicentennial concert celebration.
Even businesses and others got in on the homecoming rollout. Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare compiled a video of staffers proclaiming their favorite T-Pain songs. While several businesses created special cocktails for the occasion.
Proof Brewing Company had the “Blame It On the Juice.” Charlie Park had the “Hometown Hero.” Hayward House had the “All I Do Is Win” and the Amicus Brewing Ventures had the “T-Firewater” and a “Painchiller.”
Today, I had the incredible honor of presenting @TPain with the Key to the City in recognition of his contributions to music and his ongoing commitment to this community. As a hometown hero, T-Pain has inspired countless fans and artists worldwide, and we’re proud to call him one… pic.twitter.com/WZ1fYCPgVZ
— Mayor John Dailey (@MayorOfTLH) November 10, 2024
During the dedication, city commissioners commended staffers who worked behind the scenes to make the moment a reality. Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said T-Pain is an international star worthy to be celebrated, adding he enjoyed being a witness to T-Pain’s personal homecoming.
“He has had a tremendous impact on Tallahassee,” Dailey said. “He’s had a tremendous impact on the kids in Tallahassee, and he’s a great role model and a great example. I’m just proud to celebrate with him today.”
After the ceremonial street dedication, Dailey presented T-Pain with a golden key to the city. The honor moved T-Pain as he held the key. He cracked a joke about it’s size and then said in earnest, “Now open the gates. Open the gates and let everyone do their thing.”
“This is solidified, man, that the city is behind me,” he said. “You know, there’s the proof … This is very special to me, and I appreciate y’all.”
After the dedication, T-Pain took time to take pictures with residents, community leaders and children. The self-proclaimed hometown hero strolled over to crowd of children who were eager to meet him.
He flashed a wide smile, ready to sign autographs on the ceremony program and t-shirts. T-Pain fielded questions from the kids, who wanted to know things like ‘What’s your favorite song you ever wrote?'”
T-Pain’s answer: All of them.
In a brief interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, T-Pain said signing autographs for the kids was one of the biggest highlights of the day.
“It’s just goes to show that you can be a regular person. You can be a normal guy. You can treat people well and still be successful,” T-Pain said, adding he never predicted any of this when he was growing up in Tallahassee.
“Nobody really expects this, you know” he continued. “The people that usually are real forward about it (saying), ‘I’m gonna be successful. I’m gonna do this I’m gonna do that.’ Usually it’s them forcing their way in and it’s short lived. A natural success is much better than a forced entry.”
S: Tallahassee / USA Today
