On Thursday, Sept. 22, Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved a resolution to honor PnB Rock. 

The resolution had been proposed by Councilman Kenyatta Johnson days after the rapper was shot and killed during a robbery while at a restaurant in Los Angeles.

“The death of PnB Rock is definitely a big loss to the City of Philadelphia,” Councilman Johnson told Metro Philadelphia. “We encourage these young artists to thrive and become successful, especially when they overcome the challenges of living in an urban environment like the City of Philadelphia.”

“We want to continue to keep his life and legacy moving forward by encouraging other young people to stay on the right path and do the right thing,” he continued. 

Johnson, who is the chair of the Council’s Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention, highlighted one particular song titled, “My City Needs Something.” In the song, Rock speaks out against the crime and violence that has been plaguing the city. 

“He definitely represented a generation of young people that need help when it comes to issues of trauma around gun violence, when it comes to the issue of providing them opportunities, but most importantly, making sure they have a voice and a seat at the table...” Johnson said to the Philadelphia Inquirer, when proposing the resolution on September 15.

He also recalled first meeting Rock at a “Stop the Violence Rally,” several years back praising how Rock strived to be a positive influence to those who come from the environment he grew up in, and using his platform as a musician as a mechanism to promote stopping the violence.  

“He still focused on particularly trying to save our young people and give them a sense of direction, and most importantly, hope in the midst of all of the gun violence that we’re seeing here in the city of Philadelphia,” Johnson added. 

PnB Rock, whose real name was Rakim Hasheem Allen, was born and raised in Philadelphia.

His stage name — PnB Rock — is an homage to the street corner near where he grew up, Pastorious and Baynton Streets in Germantown. 

After beginning his music career in Philadelphia, Rock would later moved to Los Angeles.

In 2015, he signed a record deal with Atlantic Records, and started gaining national recognition through hit singles, such as “Fleek” and “Selfish.”

After being named to XXL’s Freshman Class in 2017, he released his debut album, “Catch These Vibes.” His second album, “TrapStar Turnt PopStar” was released two years later in 2019. 

Rock’s latest song, “Luv Me Again,” was released on September 2 — just 10 days before his murder. 

A funeral service was held for Rock on Wednesday, September 21 at Khadijah Alderman Funeral Home in North Philadelphia.

The LAPD is continuing to investigate, and there has yet to be any arrests for his murder. 

The new resolution serves a way to honor Rock’s life and legacy.