Hip-Hop Pioneer Uncle Luke Honored with Street Naming in Miami

Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, the hip-hop pioneer, activist, and 2 Live Crew frontman, is being honored in his hometown of Miami with a street named after him.

On Tuesday, city commissioners approved a resolution renaming a portion of Northwest 11th Avenue between Northwest 58th Street and Northwest 60th Street as “Luther Campbell Way.” The street runs through Liberty City, the neighborhood where Campbell grew up.

Campbell, 64, reacted to the announcement on social media, comparing the honor to receiving a Hollywood Walk of Fame star and emphasizing its significance for his community.

HISTORIC MOMENT! 🙌🏾

Yesterday, something truly special happened—something as big as a Star nomination on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The street where I grew up is officially being named after me, Luther Campbell!

Huge thanks to Miami-Dade County Commissioner @KeonHardemon for… pic.twitter.com/xR6TKsiwiW

— Luther Luke Campbell (@unclelukereal1) March 5, 2025

“Yesterday, something truly special happened—something as big as a Star nomination on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The street where I grew up is officially being named after me, Luther Campbell!” he wrote. “This is for Miami, for Liberty City, and for everyone who grew up in a tough neighborhood—to show that where you come from doesn’t define where you can go.”

Campbell’s influence extends beyond music. As the leader of 2 Live Crew, he played a pivotal role in the rise of Miami bass, a subgenre of hip-hop known for its bass-heavy beats and provocative lyrics. His biggest impact, however, came in the form of a legal battle over free speech in music that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1994, Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. became a landmark fair use case after 2 Live Crew’s parody of Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” led to a lawsuit over copyright infringement. The Supreme Court ruled in Campbell’s favor, reinforcing the right to parody under U.S. copyright law—a decision that continues to shape entertainment law today.

Beyond music and legal advocacy, Campbell has remained an active community leader, businessman, and former political candidate. He has been outspoken about issues affecting his city, particularly in advocating for underserved communities.