Rap celebrity Ol’ Dirty Bastard dies at 35 years old

By Erin Berry
Staff Writer

On Nov. 13, Russell "Rusty" Jones a.k.a. Ol Dirty Bastard died suddenly at age 35 after collapsing in a Manhattan Studio.

O.D.B. was beloved for a variety of reasons and Hip-hoppers loved his humorous, non-sequential yet educational approach to Hip-Hop. O.D.B.'s aliases included Osirus, Joe Bannanas, Dirt Dog, Unique Ason, Big Baby Jesus and Dirt McGirt, not to mention several more. But, the name that was used most frequently was "Ol Dirty Bastard" which was given to him because there was no father to his unique style.

Unfortunately, O.D.B. was known more for his run-ins with the law than anything else. And this has put a bad representation on his career. But, many people do not know that O.D.B. rescued a young child from a burning vehicle in February of 1998. O.D. B. was one of the most eccentric members of the group "The Wu-Tang Clan." The rap group started the careers of rappers Method Man, Raekwon, The RZA, Ghostface Killah and The GZA and fashioned themselves as ghetto superheroes with magic rapping powers. The group was so popular that they even debuted with their own video game.

O.D.B. was instantly recognizable with his garbled, manic and non-sensible style as an MC. His half-rapped, half-sung, free association growl was a big element in several of the Clan's most memorable hits as well as the popular Mariah Carey song, "Fantasy." Wu-Tang Clan member RZA, who was the cousin of O.D.B., told MTV.com that "Russell will definitely be missed by the group and the Hip-Hop community at large."

O.D.B., who was born in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, New York, was raised on public assistance and raised his 12 or more children on public assistance as well. The well-remembered MTV special that was done on O.D.B. subsequently called "A Day in The Life" followed O.D.B. and several of his children as they rode in his limousine to Social Services to receive food stamps.

O.D.B. can be remembered saying, "They don't even know who I am…that's a damn shame!" The special aired several times before it was archived and can be viewed on MTV.com.

Most recently, O.D.B. was signed with the infamous Roc-a-fella team that is headlined with stars such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, and Peedi Crak and was due to have an album out in February.

At O.D.B.'s wake, Dame Dash said, "O.D. B. still had many good years ahead of him before collapsing on Saturday. I felt that I was robbed. Dirty cleaned up and his head was straight and he was making plans for his birthday…"

Autopsy reports conducted on Nov. 14 revealed non-conclusive results and now family and friends are awaiting a Toxicology and tissue test results that should give answers to Dirty's early demise.

Dirty's unique antics and style will definitely be missed by not only his family, but also the Hip-Hop Community.

He will be the eighth loss of recent hip-hop artists that includes Tupac, Biggie, Freaky Tai, Big L, Big Pun, Left Eye and Aaliyah.