Stack Bundles may have been gone for over 15 years but his legacy lives on with a street named after him in his hometown of Far Rockaway, Queens in New York.
In a video shared to his official Instagram account on Saturday (June 10), fans, family and friends gathered to witness the rapper (real name Rayquon M. Elliot) get immortalized in the iconic neighborhood. A number of Stack’s associates spoke at length about the Riot Squad rapper’s legacy and how he paved the way for other New York artists to be seen and heard
In a previous post, Stack Bundles’ sister, Maxine Elliot, was seen holding up a framed Proclamation letter announcing that June 11 is now known as Rayquon M. Elliot “Stack Bundles” Day.
“All I know is waking up and standing on hassock,” the caption reads. “It’s official. @dreamgirlwag really pulled this off. Saturday is going to be such a beautiful bittersweet moment. Monumental for everyone who’s had to endure living without him over the past 16 years.
“This will forever immortalize Rayquon Stack Bundles Elliott as a New York hiphop legend, and icon!!! Legends NEVER die!!!! Can I get a SQ SQ SQ SQ SQ SQUAD UP!!!!
Stack Bundles was shot and killed on June 11, 2007 while returning to his home in Far Rockaway, Queens. At the time of his death, Dip Set rapper Freeky Zekey issued a heartfelt statement about his friend and labelmate.
“I just want to say life is never promised tomorrow, so you have to live your life to the fullest,” he said. “Sometime you question the lords actions on certain things, but you just got to live stead fast So don’t make this a situation where you clam up and go in a shell
Big shout out to the big homie, we love you and will always remember you. Stack is a true solider. I’ve been in similar circumstances three years ago and it’s really killing me inside. He was young and I’m very saddened by this loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family especially his sisters.”
Lupe Fiasco also released a statement at the time, touching on their friendship through music, revealing Stack once lived with him and had been beside him when he experienced a number of life milestones.
“R.I.P. Stacks Bundles…My Homey My Dear Friend…,” he wrote. “It hurt so much to wake up to this…So sad…I’ve watched from the humble beginnings…when he used to live with me out in Chicago we rocked together everyday…He’d write rhymes in one room and I’d be writing rhymes in the other…He was there with me through many a milestone in my life , the up’s and the downs, and I was so proud and happy to see him achieve success in his life at what he loved…Hip-Hop…”
Lupe continued: “Stacks was the first person that was signed to 1st&15th way back when it first started FYI…Even beyond that I considered Stacks family…My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends in this time of sadness…We all lost a Good Friend today…But He wont be forgotten…May God have mercy on his soul, Forgive him for his sins in this Life, and watch over him in the next…”
Much like Big L in the mid-1990s, Stack Bundles was a important fixture in New York rap during the mid-2000s. He was a member of Byrd Gang, which he started along with Jim Jones, Max B, and Mel Matrix. He also collaborated with other artists including Joe Budden, Fabolous, French Montana, Chinx, and many more. He has been mentioned in many songs and praised for ushering in the era of New York Hip Hop that fans experience today.
