Keys to the City: Rappers Honored by Local Governments

Rap artists who've been acknowledged by their hometowns.

Fetty Wap - Fetty Wap went back to his New Jersey hometown this weekend and was greeted with a key to the whole city. "I love my city πŸ’― #Paterson #NJ ... #Hardworkpaysoff," he posted to Instagram.Read on for more rappers who've been saluted by local governments for their contributions to the community. β€” Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA)(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Billboard)

1 / 21

Fetty Wap - Fetty Wap went back to his New Jersey hometown this weekend and was greeted with a key to the whole city. "I love my city πŸ’― #Paterson #NJ ... #Hardworkpaysoff," he posted to Instagram.Read on for more rappers who've been saluted by local governments for their contributions to the community.Β β€” Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA)(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Billboard)

T.I., β€β€ͺ@Tip - Tweet: "1 Time 4 β€ͺ#MYPRESIDENT da 1st pres to ever create affordable healthcare for everyone! β€ͺ#Obamacare"No need to question T.I.'s thoughts on the controversial Affordable Care Act/Obamacare. The king salutes!(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

2 / 21

T.I. - The city of Jackson, Miss., awarded T.I. with the "Keys to the City"Β on Wednesday for his positive impact on the community. Tip also spoke to some of the youth and encouraged them that they could look at him as an example of turning your life around and bringing about a positive change.(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

Flo-Rida - Flo-Rida reps for his state and on June 3 was presented with the key to the City of Miami Gardens, Fla., also known as Carol City, where Rick Ross is also from. The club-rocking rapper was rewarded for his community endeavors through his Big Dreams for Kids Charity and work with the Florida Youth Football League.He was also the celebrity principal for the day at Miami Edison Middle School that week to celebrate its victory in the Get Schooled Diplomas Now Attendance Challenge. Fellow Floridian Ace Hood and Atlanta rapper Gorilla Zoe were also in the building to salute the youngsters.(Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images for Get Schooled)

3 / 21

Flo-Rida - Flo-Rida reps for his state and on June 3 was presented with the key to the City of Miami Gardens, Fla., also known as Carol City, where Rick Ross is also from. The club-rocking rapper was rewarded for his community endeavors through his Big Dreams for Kids Charity and work with the Florida Youth Football League.He was also the celebrity principal for the day at Miami Edison Middle School that week to celebrate its victory in the Get Schooled Diplomas Now Attendance Challenge. Fellow Floridian Ace Hood and Atlanta rapper Gorilla Zoe wereΒ also in the building to salute the youngsters.(Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images for Get Schooled)

Big Sean - Big Sean revealed that getting a key to the city of his native Detroit in 2011 was one of his career milestones. Speaking with BBC 1's Tim Westwood, he stated:"When I got the key to the city when I got back to Detroit, [that was best moment in my career]. When I saw the expression on my grandma's face ... to just see her so happy and proud, and to see my mom so proud and be able to support them, that was the best."(Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com)

4 / 21

Big Sean - Big Sean revealed that getting a key to the city of his native Detroit in 2011 was one of his career milestones. Speaking with BBC 1's Tim Westwood, he stated:"When I got the key to the city when I got back to Detroit, [that was best moment in my career]. When I saw the expression on my grandma's face ... to just see her so happy and proud, and to see my mom so proud and be able to support them, that was the best."(Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com)

Mac Miller - "Mac Miller Day" was officially declared by the city of Pittsburgh on September 20, 2013, and the MC was also blessed with the key to the city of his hometown.(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

5 / 21

Mac Miller - "Mac Miller Day" was officially declared by the city of Pittsburgh on September 20, 2013, and the MC was also blessed with the key to the city of his hometown.(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
David Banner - David Banner was a major force raising funds after Hurricane Katrina and has been a community activist throughout his entire career. His home town of Jackson, Mississippi, rewarded his efforts last year with a key to the city. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

6 / 21

David Banner - David Banner was a major force raising funds after Hurricane Katrina and has been a community activist throughout his entire career. His home town of Jackson, Mississippi, rewarded his efforts last year with a key to the city.Β (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Diddy - We all know Diddy runs the city, especially New York, but the Bad Boy boss has made his marks in Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami Beach, too, and has been handed over the key to the city in all three.(Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

7 / 21

Diddy - We all know Diddy runs the city, especially New York, but the Bad Boy boss has made his marks in Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami Beach, too, and has been handed over the key to the city in all three.(Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

Master P - In 2008, last don Master P was recognized by the city of Memphis, Tennessee, for his community endeavors. The No Limit colonel was given a key to the city during the Let the Kids Grow Day, which promoted the importance of education and the dangers of drugs.(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

8 / 21

Master P - In 2008, last don Master P was recognized by the city of Memphis, Tennessee, for his community endeavors. The No Limit colonel was given a key to the city during the Let the Kids Grow Day, which promoted the importance of education and the dangers of drugs.(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Dr. Dre vs. Death Row - Dr. Dre's got a message for whoever currently holds Death Row's interests: he's owed approximately $3 million from the now bankrupt label that he helped build to its legendary status in hip hop history. Dre sued The Row for unpaid royalties, digital sales and failure to bump his percentage up two points to 20%, as he was once promised.(Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Beats by Dre)

9 / 21

Dr. Dre - While the official ceremony hasn't taken place yet, Billionaire Dre has been offered the key to the city of his native Compton, California. The city is currently in talks with Dre's camp, but the real question is, what took so long?(Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Beats by Dre)

Lil Kim, @LilKim - Tweet: "Great speaking to my brother β€ͺ@Tip tonight !!!! Can't wait to see U and β€ͺ@TinyMajorMama soon!!! :) :)"Either Lil Kim's lil' kid is ready for a playdate with the Family Hustle gang or the Queen Bee is ready to get back in the booth. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

10 / 21

Lil Kim - Lil Kim went back to Cali and was given the key to the city in June 2012. The city of Miami also presented the Queen Bee with the lock opener in 2004.Β (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

ADVERTISEMENT
Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa and Kurtis Blow - Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa and Kurtis Blow, three of hip hop's forefathers and greatest influencers, have been acknowledged over the years for their contributions to the culture and society-at-large, but on March 12 they received official proclamations from the New York City Council, alongside a posthumous one given in recognition of the late DJ Pete. (Photo: Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images; Johnny Louis/WENN)

11 / 21

Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa and Kurtis Blow - Melle Mel, Afrika Bambaataa and Kurtis Blow, three of hip hop's forefathers and greatest influencers, have been acknowledged over the years for their contributions to the culture and society-at-large, but on March 12 they received official proclamations from the New York City Council, alongside a posthumous one given in recognition of the late DJ Pete.Β (Photo: Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images; Johnny Louis/WENN)

Bun B - Though he's originally from Port Arthur, Texas, Bun B was honored by neighboring Houston back in 2011, when August 30 was officially named "Bun B Day" by the city's mayor and city council. (Photo: D Dipasupil/BET/Getty Images for BET)

12 / 21

Bun B - Though he's originally from Port Arthur, Texas, Bun B was honored by neighboring Houston back in 2011, when August 30 was officially named "Bun B Day" by the city's mayor and city council.Β (Photo: D Dipasupil/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Pitbull - In August of 2009, Pitbull was given the Keys to the City of Miami by Commissioner (and current mayor) Tomas Regalado during a ceremony at City Hall. Pit's self-proclaimed "Mr. 305" title gained even more weight. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

13 / 21

Pitbull - In August of 2009, Pitbull was given the Keys to the City of Miami by Commissioner (and current mayor) Tomas Regalado during a ceremony at City Hall. Pit's self-proclaimed "Mr. 305" title gained even more weight.Β (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Eminem - In early 2011, Chrysler debuted a commercial that featured Eminem rolling around his native Detroit, and the city council later honored Em and the car company, saying, β€œIt is our duty as a Council to acknowledge those who make it a priority to uplift Detroit.”(Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for YouTube/Getty Images)

14 / 21

Eminem - In early 2011, Chrysler debuted a commercial that featured Eminem rolling around his native Detroit, and the city council later honored Em and the car company, saying,Β β€œIt is our duty as a Council to acknowledge those who make it a priority to uplift Detroit.”(Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for YouTube/Getty Images)

J. Cole - J. Cole shouts out his native Fayetteville, North Carolina, just about every chance he gets, and the city decided to pay back the rapper for his hometown love when, in 2012, they honored him with his own day. (Photo: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, file)

15 / 21

J. Cole - J. Cole shouts out his native Fayetteville, North Carolina, just about every chance he gets, and the city decided to pay back the rapper for his hometown love when, in 2012, they honored him with his own day.Β (Photo: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, file)

ADVERTISEMENT
MCA - Adam Yauch β€” better known as MCA of Beastie Boys fame β€” passed away after a battle with cancer in 2012. Roughly a year later, a park in Brooklyn Heights was dedicated in his honor. Adam Yauch Park sits at Columbia Place and State Street in BK. (Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

16 / 21

MCA - Adam Yauch β€” better known as MCA of Beastie Boys fame β€” passed away after a battle with cancer in 2012. Roughly a year later, a park in Brooklyn Heights was dedicated in his honor. Adam Yauch Park sits at Columbia Place and State Street in BK.Β (Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

Swizz Beatz - Ever-expanding his rΓ©sumΓ©, Swizz Beatz was appointed as a Global Ambassador for New York City's public hospitals in 2012. Officially, he's part of The Fund for HHC (Health and Hospitals Corporation), where he is tasked with raising funds and awareness. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

17 / 21

Swizz Beatz - Ever-expanding his rΓ©sumΓ©,Β Swizz Beatz was appointed as a Global Ambassador for New York City's public hospitals in 2012. Officially, he's part of The Fund for HHC (Health and Hospitals Corporation), where he is tasked with raising funds and awareness.Β (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Wiz Khalifa - With a steady stream of mixtapes, Wiz Khalifa worked his way to the pride of Pittsburgh, a role that came to a head with his smash "Black and Yellow." The city gave him some love right back, when the city council made 12/12/12 "Wiz Khalifa Day."(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

18 / 21

Wiz Khalifa - With a steady stream of mixtapes, Wiz Khalifa worked his way to the pride of Pittsburgh, a role that came to a head with his smash "Black and Yellow." The city gave him some love right back, when the city council made 12/12/12 "Wiz Khalifa Day."(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Mistah F.A.B. - A proud product of the Bay Area, Mistah F.A.B. is one of many artists that popped off locally β€” but he's gained national attention, too. His native Oakland acknowledged all the love that he's given the city as well as his charity work when Mayor Jean Quan declared "Stanley Fox aka Mistah F.A.B. Day" last month. (Photo: Antwan Duncan/WENN.com)

19 / 21

Mistah F.A.B. - A proud product of the Bay Area, Mistah F.A.B. is one of many artists that popped off locally β€” but he's gained national attention, too. His native Oakland acknowledged all the love that he's given the city as well as his charity work when Mayor Jean Quan declared "Stanley Fox aka Mistah F.A.B. Day" last month.Β (Photo: Antwan Duncan/WENN.com)

Rick Ross - North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre proclaimed "Rick Ross Day" in August 2010, on the day of Rozay's third annual Rick Ross Be Out Day, which was a backpack drive and concert presented by Rick Ross Charities, Inc. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

20 / 21

Rick Ross - North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre proclaimed "Rick Ross Day" in August 2010, on the day of Rozay's third annual Rick Ross Be Out Day, which was a backpack drive and concert presented by Rick Ross Charities, Inc.Β (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Slim Thug, @slimthugga - Tweet: "Touchdown SA I'm bout to hit this beat bash and wreck the stage handicap."After recently having foot surgery Texas MC Slim Thug took to his Twitter account to let fans know that he'd be hitting the Beat Bash stage despite being wheelchair bound. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

21 / 21

Slim Thug - Slim Thug was an integral part of Houston's maintsream rap takeover last decade and has continued to be a musical ambassador for the city. Earlier this year, Mayor Annise Parker acknowledged his imapct by declaring an official "Slim Thug Day."(Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)