Philadelphia renames city street after Will Smith near Philly icon's alma mater
In time for his first album release in 20 years, Philadelphia has renamed a street after its local icon, Will Smith.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker sang a few lines from The Fresh Prince's "Brand New Funk" before gifting Smith a key to the city and a replica of the street sign that now bears his name, Will Smith Way.
The new street name replaces 2000 N. 59th St., just a short jaunt away from Overbrook High School, from which Smith graduated in 1986.
"The name 'The Fresh Prince' was coined in that building," Smith said at Wednesday's ceremony, pointing back to his alma mater. "I added the 'Fresh,' because it was hip-hop slang," he continued with a laugh.
According to Smith, it was a teacher by the name of Mrs. Brown who began calling him "Prince Charming" when he was in the 10th grade. It was from there that he deemed himself "The Fresh Prince," which would carry over to his 1990s sitcom, "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."
On Friday, Smith released his new album, "Based on a True Story." It is his first album since "Lost and Found" in 2005.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Smith Way: Philadelphia renames city street after Will Smith
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