A host of celebrated New Orleans natives were inducted into the NOLA Walk of Fame on Canal Street Thursday (Feb 7), days before Super Bowl LIX kicks off in the Caesars Superdome.

Hundreds gathered around the steps of Canal Place to honor the inaugural inductees, an elite list that included some of the city’s most notable mayors, rappers, Mardi Gras Indians and football icons.

The city’s entertainment ambassador Percy “Master P” Miller introduced the local celebrities, whose plaques will be placed along a three-mile stretch of Canal Street from Saks Fifth Avenue Department Store to South Rampart Street. The markers feature a colorful engraved fleur-de-lis designed by local artist Brandon “BMIKE” Odums.

“This is only the first 50, but there will be so many more coming,” Master P said

Walk of Fame organizers aim to raise at least $6.5 million for the project, a quarter of which has already been raised through donations and grants.

Master P, who grew up in the Calliope projects before launching his music empire No Limit Records, was among those honored. He talked about the influence many of his fellow inductees had on his life, including Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, who he met at age 15 selling popcorn at the Superdome.

“I said Mr. Benson. I’m going to be a star one day,” Miller said. S: NOLA

 

Following the NOLA Walk of Fame unveiling, the newly inducted member and Ambassador of the city, Percy “Master P” Miller donated a camo outfit worn on his ‘No Limits Reunion Tour’ in 2020 during performances of “Make ‘Em Say Uhh!” and “I Got the Hook Up!” to the iconic Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans on Bourbon Street at an induction ceremony.

“We’re thrilled to welcome this new piece of memorabilia to our extensive collection of items from music history,” said Giovanni Taliaferro, Vice President of Memorabilia and Design at Hard Rock International. “Master P’s influence on Southern hip-hop is undeniable and we are proud to showcase this outfit in New Orleans where locals and fans alike can enjoy celebrating his legacy for years to come.”

NOLA WALK OF FAME 50 Members Included:

• Aaron Neville, Musician
• A.P. Tureaud, Attorney
• Al Copeland, Restauranteur
• Allen Toussaint, Musician
• Allison “Tootie” Montana, Mardi Gras Indian 
• Anthony Mackie, Actor
• Archie Manning, Athlete
• Avery Johnson, Athlete
• Big Freedia, Musician
• Blaine Kern “Mr. Mardi Gras,” Businessman
• Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Wiliams, Musicians 
• Bryant Gumbel, Journalist
• Carl Weathers, Actor
• Cedric Richmond, Politician
• Clyde Drexler, Athlete
• Khaled Mohammed Khaled “DJ Khaled,” Musician
• Drew Christopher Brees (Honorary Inductee), Athlete
• Eli Manning, Athlete
• Ella Brennan, Restauranteur
• Ellen Degeneres, Comedian
• Ernest Dutch Morial, Politician
• Fats Domino, Musician
• Gayle Benson, Businesswoman
• Harry Connick, Jr., Musician
• Irma Thomas, Musician
• Jon Batiste, Musician
• John Georges, Businessman
• Leah Chase, Restauranteur
• Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. “Lil Wayne,” Musician 
• Louis Armstrong, Musician
• LaToya Cantrell (Honorary Inductee), Politician
• Malcolm “Dr. John” Rebennack, Jr., Musician
• Marc Morial, Politician
• Marshall Faulk, Athlete
• Mahalia Jackson, Singer
• Mia Young “Mia X,” Musician
• Moon Landrieu, Politician
• Norman Francis, Educator
• Oretha Castle Haley, Activist
• Percy “Master P” Miller, Musician
• Pete Fountain, Musician
• Peyton Manning, Athlete
• Reese Witherspoon, Actress
• Revius Ortique, Jr., Judge
• Sidney Torres, Businessman
• Trombone Shorty, Musician
• Troy Carter, Politician
• Todd Graves, Businessman
• Tom Benson, Businessman
• Tyler Perry, Filmmaker
• Wendell Pierce, Actor 
• William Goldring, Philanthropist 
• Wynton Marsalis, Musician