New York City officials have co-named a section of Putnam Avenue in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood “ODB Jones Way” to honor the late Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The street naming, unveiled during a ceremony on Saturday, July 25, recognizes the influence of the rapper, born Russell Tyrone Jones, on generations of hip-hop artists.
The new signage is located at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Putnam Avenue, according to reports from NME. The ceremony was attended by family members, local community residents, and government officials, including New York City Council Member Chi Ossé.
Ramsey Jones, the eldest brother of the rapper, stated that the sign was placed on the specific block where their grandmother still resides. This location also features a mural based on the cover art of the rapper’s 1995 debut solo album, “Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version.”
City Recognition and the Legacy of Russell Tyrone Jones
The co-naming of ODB Jones Way follows a previous legislative action by the New York City Council in 2023. The council designated November 15—the rapper’s birthday—as Ol’ Dirty Bastard Day to formally acknowledge his contributions to music and culture.
Born in Brooklyn in 1968, Russell Tyrone Jones became a central figure in the early 1990s as a co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan. He appeared on the group’s influential 1993 debut, “Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers),” before establishing a distinct solo presence. His solo work included the hits “Brooklyn Zoo” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” and he provided a high-profile collaboration on the remix of Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy.”
The rapper died from an accidental drug overdose in November 2004, two days before his 36th birthday.
Wu-Tang Clan’s Continued Influence and Hall of Fame Induction
The street naming coincides with a period of renewed focus on the group’s historical footprint. Wu-Tang Clan recently concluded the UK and European portions of “The Final Chamber” farewell tour, which featured tributes to ODB and other deceased members of the collective.
“A lot of heroes go unsung, and I refuse for that to happen, to be quite frank with you,” RZA said. He added that the group’s breakthrough was essential for others in the industry to find success.
The group’s impact has further been recognized by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Wu-Tang Clan is scheduled for induction in November, joining a class of inductees that includes Oasis, Iron Maiden, Sade, Joy Division/New Order, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, and Luther Vandross.
With the installation of the ODB Jones Way sign and the upcoming Hall of Fame induction, the city and the music industry continue to institutionalize the legacy of one of Brooklyn’s most eccentric and influential musical figures.
The next major milestone for the group will be the official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November.
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