Ol’ Dirty Bastard Has His Own New York City Street Now

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Ol’ Dirty Bastard Has His Own New York City Street Now

Pitchfork · 2 hours ago

Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Ol' Dirty Bastard has been honoured with a co-named street in his native Brooklyn, more than two decades after his death. Putnam Avenue in the Bed-Stuy neighbourhood was renamed ODB Jones Way during a ceremony on 26 July, attended by the rapper's friends, family and local officials, marking a lasting tribute to his influence on hip-hop.

Although the rapper, born Russell Tyrone Jones, grew up in Brooklyn's Fort Greene area, the new street sign stands on a block in Bed-Stuy where his grandmother still lives, and which is also home to a mural depicting the cover of his debut solo album, Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. Jones died of an overdose in 2004 aged 35, and his life has since been chronicled in two documentaries: an unauthorised 2013 film that his estate tried to block, and a 2023 film made with his family's involvement, released via A&E.

  • Brooklyn street renamed ODB Jones Way in his honour
  • Ceremony held 26 July with family, friends and officials
  • Sign placed on block tied to his grandmother and album cover mural

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