Ol’ Dirty Bastard has been memorialized for his contributions to Hip Hop in a special way.
Earlier this week, the New York City Council announced they’d designated November 15 as Ol’ Dirty Bastard Day “in honor of his legacy as co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan and a legendary MC,” per Gothamist.
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November 15 coincides with the late rapper’s birthday, and falls just two days after the anniversary of his tragic death. He would’ve turned 55 this year.
Born Russell Tyrone Jones, ODB was responsible for hits like “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” “Brooklyn Zoo” and the Kelis-assisted “Got Your Money,” as well as the platinum-selling album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version.
However, in 2004, the Grammy-nominated rhymer’s career was cut short when he passed away at due to an accidental drug overdose. He was just 35 years old at the time.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard is just the latest Wu-Tang Clan member to be honored in the Big Apple, with Ghostface Killah receiving his own day in the city last May.
The announcement was made by NYC Mayor Eric Adams at the grand opening of the rapper’s Killah Koffee shop in West Brighton, Staten Island, which was attended by various other community members and elected officials.
“I love each and every one of y’all for coming. God bless,” Ghost said, while also saying he was “grateful and humbled” by the gesture.
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The entire Wu-Tang Clan were also celebrated with their own day in NYC earlier this month, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
To mark the occasion, the Empire State Building was lit up in the Wu’s colors of yellow and black.
