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The NYC Council voted to turn Nov. 15 into Ol’ Dirty Bastard Day
By
Ryan Kailath
Published Nov 15, 2023
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Raymond Boyd / Getty Images
By
Ryan Kailath
Published Nov 15, 2023
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The City Council passed a resolution Wednesday designating Nov. 15 as Ol’ Dirty Bastard Day in the city of New York, “in honor of his legacy as co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan and a legendary MC.”
O.D.B., born Russell Tyrone Jones in Fort Greene, would have been 55 years old today.
He died in November 2004 after a storied musical career that included co-founding the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and going platinum with his album “Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version.”
The resolution, sponsored by Democratic Councilmember Chi Ossé, passed with 39 members voting in favor and five against it. Three of the "no" votes came from councilmembers who represent parts of Queens: Republican Joann Ariola, and Democrats James Gennaro and Robert Holden. Two additional "no" votes were from councilmembers whose districts include parts of South Brooklyn: Republicans Ari Kagan and Inna Vernikov.
Councilmember Kalman Yeger, a Democrat, abstained, and six members were absent.
With hip-hop celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the genre has increasingly earned mainstream respect in the city, with street namings for famous artists and public tributes to the musicians who pioneered the genre.
O.D.B. joins his Wu-Tang colleague Ghostface Killah (May 9) in having an official day in New York City. The Wu-Tang writ large was honored Nov. 9, and May 31 was declared the official day for the Notorious B.I.G. over the summer.
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new york city
Music
Ryan Kailath
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