Ol' Dirty Bastard

The Birth of a Legend

Ol’ Dirty Bastard, ODB, Dirt McGirt, Dirt Dog, whatever you call him doesn’t matter, as long as you understand that when he gets down for his crown, he comes out crazy like a tiger or something, you know what I’m sayin? He got his main alias (ODB) from a kung fu movie called “Ol’ Dirty & the Bastard”. ODB is one of the most unique rappers to have ever graced the world of MCing. It has been said before that there is no father to his style and no successor either. He has one of the most unique styles out there, and when you hear him in a song, you instantly know it’s him. He got his start with his cousins Gary Grice (GZA) and Robert Diggs (RZA) in their group All in Together Now Crew. But that didn’t last very long, and soon after the 3 of them formed the group that would forever be remembered as industry defining, the Wu-Tang Clan.

Wu Tang Clan

Along with RZA, GZA, Inspecter Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killa, Method Man, and Masta Killa, the members of Wu Tang Clan were created. With their first hit single, “Protect Ya Neck” in which all the members had their own verse, ODB was easily the most recognizable with his off beat, crazy technique which was basically a half rapping and half singing. He missed out on a lot of collective participation due to serving jail time, however, this did not stop him from appearing on their album “The W” in which he recorded the song “Conditioner” through the jail two way phone.

Solo Career

Along with every other member of the clan, ODB received a solo album produced by the RZA. Entitled “Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version” the album obtained much success and critical acclaim, eventually reaching gold status. In between incarcerations he managed to also release another album entitled, “Nigga Please” this also obtained the same amount of success that his first album did. However he wasn’t able to enjoy it for long, as he again is sent to jail. This marks his last solo album he recorded.

Jail Time

Throughout ODB’s life he was in jail for one reason or another. However, in 2001 he was sent to jail for possession of drugs and would stay there for a few years. Eventually he was sent to a court appointed rehab facility, but managed to escape and become a fugitive on the run. He managed to spend some time in a recording studio with his cousin The RZA and even performed on stage at a party for the release of the Clans third album “The W”. Shortly after the party though, he was reported to police while signing autographs in a McDonalds Parking lot. He was picked up by police and sentenced to a couple more years in jail.

The Death of a Legend

Shortly after he was released from prison, November 13th, 2004, Ol’ Dirty Bastard collapsed due to heart failure in the recording studio. It was later found he had a deadly combination of Cocaine and a painkiller, Tramadol. This was ruled as an accidental overdose and the official report.

The Music of Ol' Dirty Bastard

Solo

1995 - Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
1999 - Nigga Please

With Wu-Tang Clan

1993 - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
1997 - Wu-Tang Forever
2000 - The W
2001 - Iron Flag
2007 - 8 Diagrams