Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the late Wu-Tang Clan great, was honored in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, on Saturday, July 25th, with a street renaming ceremony. The stretch of Putnam Avenue is now known as ODB Jones Way. The eccentric rapper’s friends, family, and local officials, led by Council Member Chi Ossé, were on hand at the ceremony. Ol’ Dirty Bastard‘s 1995 classic “Brooklyn Zoo” played in the background as a string was pulled to reveal the new street sign.
The Ceremony and Tribute
Ol’ Dirty Bastard‘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.”
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 Clan’s Acknowledgment
Wu-Tang Clan acknowledged the honor by posting a photo of Ol’ Dirty Bastard 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.
Legacy and Upcoming Performances
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, <strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!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.
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