Vallejo has officially renamed Taper Avenue in the Crestside neighborhood to Mac Dre Way, a tribute to the late rapper Andre Hicks. Born in Oakland in 1970, Hicks moved to Vallejo and became one of the defining voices of Bay Area rap through the 1990s and 2000s. His influence still echoes through West Coast hip-hop today.
The change didn’t come without a push. Dozens of supporters, including fellow rapper Mac Mall, urged city officials to approve the honor. Mac Mall credited Hicks with helping launch his own career and with supporting countless young people trying to break into the music business. One supporter described Hicks as the pride of Crestside, and said he deserved to be recognized as such.
With this rename, Mac Dre joins E-40, Too Short, and Tupac as Bay Area hip-hop icons with streets named after them. For longtime fans and Crestside residents alike, it’s a lasting piece of recognition for a hometown legend. Which local artist from your neighborhood deserves a street name? Let us know.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
