Plies Gets Emotional as Florida Students Pay Tribute to His Career

Rapper Plies was deeply moved when he saw a classroom of elementary school students in Fort Myers, Florida, celebrating his music career in a heartfelt tribute.

The touching moment, captured in a video shared on Instagram, featured one student dressed as the rapper, complete with red shorts, sunglasses, and a gold chain.

In the video, the young impersonator confidently asked, “Do you know who I am?” before classmates eagerly recited facts about Plies’ legacy.

They praised him as “one of the hottest rappers in the city” and highlighted key moments from his two-decade-long career, including his graduation from Fort Myers High School and his success in the music industry.

One particular comment—“He has plenty of money”—was a nod to one of Plies’ hit songs, sparking a lively classroom celebration.

The rapper, whose real name is Algernod Lanier Washington, was overwhelmed with emotion after seeing the tribute. He responded with an Instagram post, expressing his gratitude.

“With my shirt full of tears! I want every one of you young kings & queens to know,” he wrote. “Your acknowledgment has given me so much purpose. Make no doubt about it—your futures can & will be even brighter.”

The tribute ended with students breaking into a dance party as the young Plies impersonator bopped his head to the beat.

One Instagram user identified the classroom as Ms. Codie’s second-grade class at Franklin Park Elementary and shared that the student leading the tribute was her son. The post was met with an outpouring of support, with fans praising Plies for his impact.

“You use your platform to be the voice and change we need in our community,” one commenter wrote.

Plies has built a strong following not only for his music but also for his candid, often humorous social commentary. In recent years, he has used his platform to speak on important political and social issues. During the 2024 election cycle, he voiced support for then-Vice President Kamala Harris while criticizing Donald Trump for spreading misinformation targeting Black voters.

More recently, Plies joined the growing backlash against retail giant Target for scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. In a fiery Instagram post, he declared that the store would no longer get his business, making it clear where he stands on the issue.

Through his music and activism, Plies continues to inspire fans—and as the students at Franklin Park Elementary demonstrated, his impact reaches far beyond the recording studio.