Kingsborough Houses (also known as Kingsborough Houses-Kingsborough Extension), a NYCHA public housing development in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, completed in 1941, is one of the oldest NYCHA complexes in Brooklyn.1 Unlike other prominent NYCHA projects like Marcy Houses (Jay-Z) or Queensbridge Houses (Nas), it hasn’t produced many mainstream celebrities or globally famous figures.2
However, it has been home to several notable figures in the underground and local hip-hop/drill scenes:
- Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire (born Hugh Anthony Allison, 1986): An experimental rapper and producer raised in Kingsborough Houses. He gained recognition in the early 2010s NYC underground hip-hop scene with mixtapes like The Vault and collaborations with artists such as Danny Brown, El-P, and Das Racist. His raw, stream-of-consciousness style and appearances in outlets like The Fader made him a cult favorite.34
- Jay Aston, LittleRichh (Richh), and King Eli: Emerging Brooklyn drill rappers associated with the Kingsborough Houses (often called “Kingsborough Projects” or linked to the nearby “Borosides” area in Crown Heights). They rose in the late 2010s/early 2020s drill scene with tracks like “Don’t Panic,” gaining local buzz through YouTube interviews and music videos. They’ve been featured in drill media for their gritty street narratives, though some have faced legal issues tied to gang activity (e.g., OY/59 affiliations).56
The development is more renowned for its cultural landmarks, like the restored Exodus and Dance frieze by Harlem Renaissance sculptor Richmond Barthé (though he didn’t live there).1 If you’re looking for more on local artists or residents (e.g., the late artist-in-residence Larry Weekes), let me know!
About Kingsborough Houses
11 Kingsborough Houses is a 15.97-acre housing project in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, bordered by Ralph and Rochester Avenues, and Pacific and Bergen Streets. 11 The project consists of 16, six-story buildings with 1,148 apartment units, owned and managed by the New York City Housing Authority. Construction finished in 1941 and cost $5,160,000. 11 The development opened with a majority of white residents, but by the late 1950s over two-thirds of residents were African-American.
Notable People Connected to Kingsborough Houses
Unfortunately, my extensive search did not turn up a well-documented list of widely famous celebrities (major athletes, rappers, actors, etc.) who specifically grew up in Kingsborough Houses. Unlike some other NYCHA developments (such as Marcy Houses, which produced Jay-Z, or Queensbridge Houses), Kingsborough Houses does not appear to have a widely publicized roster of celebrity alumni in available online sources. However, here are some notable figures connected to the development:
- Carrol E. Arnold – Author
5 *Growing Up Kingsborough* (2023) by Carrol E. Arnold is a non-fictional work told from the first-person perspective of the author and friends between the 1960s and 1970s. Arnold documented life in the development and is a notable community voice preserving Kingsborough’s history.
- Dr. Denise Hinds-Zaami – Author & Academic
Dr. Hinds-Zaami is a former Kingsborough resident who has spoken publicly about the impact the development had on her life. 17She stated: “I grew up in the Kingsborough Housing Projects from age 1 to age 16. Looking at that wall meant so much to me. It did connect me to my past, caused me to remember who I am, and made an impact on my future. I mention ‘The Wall’ in another book that I’m writing.”
- Larry Weekes (1953–2025) – Artist & Community Leader
1 The Fulton Art Fair credits the realization of the mural and the other phases of the Exodus and Dance project to former President and Artist-in-Residence at Kingsborough Houses Larry Weekes (1953–2025), who established partnerships with community stakeholders and residents that made this work possible. He was a Brooklyn-based artist deeply tied to the Kingsborough community and played a pivotal role in the cultural revitalization of the development.
- Alicka Ampry-Samuel – Politician
While not a resident, she was a key champion for the Kingsborough community as a NYC Council Member and later as a HUD Regional Administrator. 6In 2019, NYCHA received $1.8 million in funding from former City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and former City Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel to initiate the restoration of Exodus and Dance. She was deeply connected to the development’s cultural legacy.
The Development’s Artistic Legacy
Kingsborough Houses is perhaps best known for its connection to a major figure in American art:
Richmond Barthé (1901–1989) – Harlem Renaissance Sculptor
While Barthé did not live at Kingsborough Houses, his monumental artwork defines the development. 12Exodus and Dance, or “The Wall” (as it is referred to by residents in the Kingsborough Houses community), is the largest piece created by Richmond Barthé, who was a prominent African-American sculptor and painter of the Harlem Renaissance. 1The frieze is the largest work by Barthé, who is widely recognized for his sculpture and among the first Black artists to be collected by the Whitney Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In summary, Kingsborough Houses has a rich cultural and community history, but unlike some more high-profile NYCHA developments, a widely known list of famous alumni does not appear to be extensively documented online. If you’re interested in the stories of people who grew up there, Carrol E. Arnold’s book Growing Up Kingsborough would likely be an excellent resource, as would the oral history projects recently conducted as part of the Exodus and Dance restoration initiative. Local community members and longtime residents may have much more knowledge about notable individuals who came from the development.