Brooklyn Street Named in Honor of Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard
A street in Brooklyn has been officially named after the late Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The corner of Putnam and Franklin Avenues in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood was renamed “ODB Jones Way” following a commemorative ceremony held on Sunday, July 26th.
The new street sign is positioned near a long-standing mural of the artist—born Russell Tyrone Jones—which features imagery from the cover of his iconic 1995 solo debut album, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. The renaming project was a collaborative effort between the Estate of Ol’ Dirty Bastard and local NYC council member Chi Ossé.
Family members, including his mother, Cherry Jones, and his eldest brother, Ramsey Jones, were in attendance to celebrate the unveiling. “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,” Ramsey Jones shared during the event. “I’m so honored, my mother’s honored. Thank you.”
Reflecting on the artist’s legacy, Chi Ossé noted the profound impact of his work on both the local community and the global hip-hop landscape. “ODB was brilliant yet hilarious. Above all, he stayed unapologetically true to himself,” Ossé wrote on Instagram. “Through Wu-Tang and as a solo artist, he created a sound that redefined what hip-hop could be. His impact is felt here in Bed-Stuy, across New York City, and around the world.”
Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who was born and raised in the nearby Fort Greene neighborhood, remained deeply connected to Brooklyn throughout his life. He passed away on November 13, 2004, due to an accidental overdose. His life and career were recently revisited in the 2024 documentary A Tale of Two Dirtys, directed by Sam and Jason Pollard.
The tribute arrives as the Wu-Tang Clan concludes their extensive international farewell tour, The Final Chamber. The group was also recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this past April.
