Late Wu-Tang Clan great Ol’ Dirty Bastard (born Russell Tyrone Jones) was honored in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, on Saturday, July 25th, where you can now drive on ODB Jones Way on a stretch of Putnam Avenue.
The eccentric rapper’s friends, family, and local officials, led by Council Member Chi Ossé — who spearheaded the designation — were on hand at the ceremony. ODB’s 1995 classic “Brooklyn Zoo” played in the background as a string was pulled to reveal the new street sign.
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ODB’s eldest brother, Ramsey Jones, spoke to New York photographer Howard Weiss about their familial connection to the location. “I am very honored to be here, because my grandmother’s house is on this block on Putnam Avenue, right next to where the mural is,” he said before introducing their mother, Cherry Jones. “We’re here to commemorate my brother’s street renaming.”
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The mural, now in the backdrop of the ODB Jones Way sign, is a recreation of the cover of Ol’ Dirty’s 1995 debut, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, which itself features a replica of an NYC public assistance ID.
Wu-Tang acknowledged the honor by posting a photo of ODB at the Putnam Ave and Franklin Ave location on their official Instagram account with the caption, “Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Unique Ason. Big Baby Jesus. Call him whatever you want — Bed-Stuy is calling it ODB Jones Way. We heard you. We’ll keep it raw.”
Of course, fans blasted Wu-Tang Clan’s music in the background and poured 40s of malt liquor on the ground to celebrate the joyous occasion.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s legacy remains strong more than two decades after he died at 35 in November 2004 from a drug overdose. In 2023, former Mayor Eric Adams declared November 15th as Ol’ Dirty Bastard Day.
This fall, Ol’ Dirty’s son, Barsun Unique Jones, who performs as Young Dirty Bastard, will continue carrying his father’s legacy by performing with incoming Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Wu-Tang Clan on their “The Final Chamber Tour.” Look for deals and sold-out tickets at Vivid Seats, where new customers can use promo code CONSEQUENCE20 to receive $20 off their first order of $200 or more. The Vivid Seats Rewards program also offers members a free ticket for every 10 tickets purchased.
For more, read why Consequence named Ol’ Dirty Bastard as one of the greatest vocalists of all time.
@howardweiss Brooklyn now has ODB Jones Way. Bed-Stuy honored Ol’ Dirty Bastard, born Russell Tyrone Jones, with a street co-naming at Franklin and Putnam avenues. Family, community members and hip-hop fans gathered to celebrate the Wu-Tang Clan founding member’s Brooklyn legacy. Video by Howard Weiss / NYC In Focus #ODBJonesWay #OlDirtyBastard #WuTangClan #BedStuy #Brooklyn