Ol' Dirty Bastard simultaneously brought a measure of humor and a touch of the absurd to the Wu-Tang Clan. Often noted for his unusual mic technique (critic Steve Huey writes of Jones's "outrageously profane, free-associative rhymes" delivered "in a distinctive half-rapped, half-sung style"), Jones's stage name came from a 1980 kung fu film entitled Ol' Dirty & The Bastard, the relevance of which was articulated by Method Man's assertion that there was "no father" to Jones's style.
After establishing the Wu-Tang Clan, Ol' Dirty Bastard went on to a successful solo career. However, his professional success was hampered by his erratic personal behavior and frequent legal troubles, including incarceration. He died in late 2004 of a drug overdose in a recording studio.
Life and Career
Ol' Dirty Bastard was born Russell Jones in Brooklyn in 1968, and grew up in the neighborhood of Fort Greene. As he got older, he started hanging out more and more with his cousins Robert Diggs and Gary Grice; they all shared a taste for rap music and kung-fu movies. Diggs, later to be known as the RZA, Grice, later the GZA, and Jones formed Force Of The Imperial Master, which subsequently became known as the All in Together Now Crew after they had a successful underground single of that name.
Wu-Tang Clan
The cousins soon added six more friends and associates to the Clan, and released their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in 1993 (1993 in music). 36 Chambers received enormous critical praise, and is now widely regarded as one of the best and most influential albums of any genre to be released in the 1990s, as well as one of the best hip hop albums of all time.
While most of the group's members received individual praise from critics and fans, Jones became perhaps the best-known member of the group. Armed with a seemingly crazed, slurred, often off-beat, half-sung half-rapped delivery, bizarre lyrics and humorous antics that were unlike anything ever heard before in rap, he seemed to encapsulate and personify the raw, unadulterated and innovative style of the group.
Ol' Dirty Bastard takes his name from the 1980 film by Meng-Hwa Ho called An Old Kung Fu Master, known also as Mad Mad Kung Fu and Ol' Dirty & The Bastard. The movie features Yuen Siu Tien aka Simon Yuen who can also be found in other classics such as Drunken Master. Yuen Siu Tien often played a character of an old drunkard who had mastered the martial art of Drunken Boxing.
Solo career
ODB's solo career began in 1995, the second member of the Wu-Tang Clan to release a solo album, following Method Man's 1994 effort, Tical. Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, released on March 28, 1995, spawned the hit singles Brooklyn Zoo and Shimmy Shimmy Ya, and powered the album to gold status. The album's sound was as raw and gritty as 36 Chambers, producer RZA creating beats even more minimalist and stripped-down than on the group's debut.
That same year, he was featured on the remix of Mariah Carey's "Fantasy". What might have seemed like an unlikely pairing spawned a major hit song. "Fantasy" was among the first popular pop, R&B, and hip hop collaborations.
Around this time, Jones gained notoriety when, as he was being profiled for an MTV biography, he took two of his thirteen children by limousine to a New York State welfare office to pick up his welfare check while his latest album was still in the top ten of the US charts. The entire incident was filmed by an MTV camera crew and was broadcast nationwide.
In 1997, ODB appeared on the Wu-Tang Clan's second and most commercially successful album, Wu-Tang Forever. However, Jones appeared less often on the Clan's sophomore than on the debut; he contributed a solo track titled "Dog Shit" as well as hooks ("As High As Wu-Tang Get") and spoken introductions ("Triumph"), but other than these appearances and featuring prominently on the songs "Maria" and "Reunited," as well as delivering a very short verse on "Heaterz", he was absent.
In February 1998, Jones witnessed a car accident from the window of his Brooklyn recording studio. He and a friend ran to the accident scene and organized about a dozen onlookers who assisted in lifting the 1996 Ford Mustang—rescuing a 4-year-old girl from the wreckage. She was taken to a hospital with second and third degree burns. Using a false name, Jones visited the girl in the hospital frequently until he was spotted by members of the media.
The evening following the traffic accident, Jones rushed onstage unexpectedly during Shawn Colvin's acceptance speech for "Song of the Year" at the Grammy Awards, and began complaining that he had recently purchased expensive clothes in anticipation of winning the "Best Rap Album" award that he lost to Puff Daddy. Before being escorted off-stage, he implored the audience, "I don't know how you all see it, but when it comes to the children, Wu-Tang is for the children. We teach the children. Puffy is good, but Wu-Tang is the best. I want you all to know that this is ODB, and I love you all. Peace!" (He evidently was confused between Shawn Colvin and Sean Combs, Puff Daddy's real name). His bizarre onstage antics were widely reported in the mainstream media.
In April 1998, he announced his new stage name, Big Baby Jesus (the first of many alternate stage names; see the list below), but was never able to give a coherent explanation for the very brief switch.
In 1999, he found time to release Nigga Please between jail sentences, which received much success and was even more bizarrely warped than his debut. This release included the single "Got Your Money" which became extremely successful in the US and elsewhere; it was produced by The Neptunes, and its success would serve as one of the production group's main stepping stones to the superstardom they would later achieve. As well as the Neptunes, the single also put singer Kelis, who sang the chorus, on the map; she went on to have a successful solo career.
In 2001, with Jones again in jail for crack cocaine possession, his record company Elektra Records made the decision to release a greatest hits album (despite there being only two albums in ODB's back catalogue) in order to both end their contract with the unreliable, troubled artist as well as make some money off the publicity generated by his legal troubles. After the contract with Elektra was terminated, the label D-3 records released the album "The Trials and Tribulations of Russell Jones" in 2002, comprised of tracks put together without Jones's input, using the vocals he had recorded prior to his capture by authorities. The label recruited many guests including several Wu-Tang Clan affiliates, No Limit Records artist C-Murder, and the Insane Clown Posse. However, the album was critically panned and sales were poor.
The year 2003 brought a change in the life of Ol' Dirty Bastard however. The day he was released from prison, with Mariah Carey and Damon Dash by his side, Jones signed a contract with Roc-A-Fella Records, and began a new chapter in his life. Living at his mother's home under house arrest and with a court-ordered probation hanging over his head, he managed to star in a VH1 reality television series. He also managed to record a new album, scheduled to be released in 2006 through Dame Dash Music Group.
He had stated that he also planned on collaborating with artists in the electronic music genre, such as Carnage and The Fiasco, Fischerspooner, and possibly even Massive Attack.
Legal troubles
In 1993, ODB was convicted of second degree assault for an attempted robbery and in 1994, he was shot in the abdomen following an argument with another rapper.
In 1997, he was arrested for failure to pay child support for three of his thirteen children. His wife, Icelene Jones, claimed he had not paid any support in over a year.
In 1998, he pled guilty to attempted assault on his wife and was the victim of a home invasion robbery at his girlfriend's house. He was shot in the back and arm but the wounds were superficial.
In July 1998, only days after being shot in a push-in robbery at a cousin's house in Brooklyn, he was arrested for shoplifting a pair of $50 shoes in Virginia Beach, Virginia, although he was carrying close to $500 at the time. He was issued bench warrants by the Virginia Beach Sheriffs Department to stand trial after he failed to appear in court numerous times. He was arrested for criminal threatening after a series of drunken confrontations in Los Angeles a few weeks later, and was then re-arrested for similar charges not long after that.
During a routine traffic stop, the details of which remain clouded in multiple versions of events, he was arrested for attempted murder and criminal weapon possession. The case was later dismissed.
In February 1999, he was arrested for driving without a license and for being a convicted felon wearing a bulletproof vest (the first person arrested for this infraction under a new California law). Back in New York weeks later, he was arrested for drug possession of crack cocaine and for traffic offenses. With multiple cases in the past and present, he was arrested with marijuana and 20 vials of crack. After his arrest, ODB reportedly asked the police to "make the rocks disappear". During a court hearing, he once called a female prosecutor a "sperm donor."
This criminal record was commented on by Chris Rock in his 1999 spoken word song, "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)", with Rock asserting that "ODB couldn'tve possibly committed all those crimes. Coolio did some of that shit."
ODB entered rehab while still technically a fugitive from the law, but strange behavior during a subsequent court date sent him to jail for a brief period.
In October 2000, he escaped from his court-mandated drug treatment facility and spent one month as a fugitive. During his time on the run, he hooked up with the RZA and managed to log some time in the recording studio. He then appeared onstage swigging a bottle at a record release party for The W, a Wu-Tang Clan album. He was later arrested in a Philadelphia McDonald's parking lot while signing autographs, and extradited to New York City. A Manhattan court sentenced him to two to four years incarceration. Mental problems resulted in a suicide attempt not long after his sentencing.
In May 2003, Russell Jones was released from prison. It was said that long time friend, Mariah Carey, picked him up after his release.
At first, his legal troubles and odd behavior made Jones "something of a folk hero", according to The New Yorker writer Michael Agger. However, Huey writes that "it was difficult for observers to tell whether ODB's wildly erratic behavior was the result of serious drug problems or genuine mental instability ... the possibility that his continued antics were at least partly the result of conscious image-making disappeared as time wore on."
Russell Jones collapsed at approximately 5:29 p.m. on November 13, 2004 at Wu-Tang's recording studio (36 Records LLC on West 34th Street in New York City). He was pronounced dead less than an hour later. He was buried at Brooklyn's Christian Cultural Center.
A statement was released on Saturday (November 13, 2004) evening by his mother Cherry Jones:
"This evening, I received a phone call that is every mother's worst dream," she said. "My son, Russell Jones, passed away. To the public, he was known as Ol' Dirty Bastard, but to me, he was known as Rusty, the kindest, most generous soul on earth. I appreciate all the support and prayers that I have received. Russell was more than a rapper, he was a loving father, brother, uncle, and most of all, son."
A statement was also released by Damon Dash, who signed ODB to Roc-A-Fella Records in the fall of 2004:
"All of us in the Roc-A-Fella family are shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic death of our brother and friend. Russell inspired all of us with his spirit, wit and tremendous heart. He will be missed dearly, and our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to his wonderful family. The world has lost a great talent, but we mourn the loss of our friend."
The cause of death remained unknown until December 15, 2004; although he reportedly complained of chest pains prior to collapsing, a heart attack was not listed as the cause of death. During the initial autopsy of the 35-year-old rapper, a doubled plastic bag containing cocaine was discovered in his stomach. Final results from an autopsy show he had a lethal mixture of the prescription painkiller Tramadol and high amounts of cocaine in his system at the time of his death, which was ruled an accidental overdose by the New York Medical Examiner's Office.
96 Recreation
Ol' Dirty Bastard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yo, yo
My acoustic pugilistic lingustic rap fabric
Is a mixture of Arabic, Sanscrit, English, italics
I talk quick, y'all bitches can't comprehend my dick-release spit
But love should I release hits
We travel through bodies like blood vessels
Slang doctrine, minoxin, lyrical toxin, I'm chessboxin'
Words is rushin' through like a herd of angry oxen
Fatal for these pussy cat niggas is dead weight
Concentrate, my murder rate accelerate, terminate
I'm so spoiled like coke in the foil
Knock knock, I shot the whole block
Electricity, flow splendidly
Internally inside of me like Tony Starks' tee
I create excellency, one-sixty call L-O-U-N-G assist me
Papi wardrobe is key, roll promptly
For slang hall, vocabulary Igor, Frankenstein mind
Rewind for a minute while I dig down your track, stupid
I move quick shit is accurate, Kojack tactics
Chaos, Killa Bee minds, high society blackness, spread the rumor
My lyrical marvel makin' more cream than Carvel
Y'all niggas best to hold your weight like barbell
To my verbal swordsman school, students don't play truant
My most prudent pupil, rhyme under influence
Of alcohol and tobacco, mushrooms imported from Morocco
Bellies on the rocks and a twenty sack of choco
With forty tales and gold around the fist, bitch, I carve
Lyrics on the paper so my family won't starve
I'm deep in the shit, I stay highly involved
Never in-conceited, never been beated
Got trapped in many wars but not yet retreated
My style you need it, I just write to read it (damn, nigga)
It's all fresh lyric, no nothing gets repeated (turn the mic on)
I came a long way and, guess what? I succeeded
I conquer my opponent and feed him baby food
'Cause he's childish and illiterate and, yeah, has been rude
To the father year me, O-R-I-G
Respond to the war with the Killa Bee law
Scavenger nigga, you's a shrimp
A full line of shit, my ear can't digest it
Stop drinking all that water, let's take it to the land
So I can Godzilla up your shit, Mr. Tiny Tim man
Niggas be creeping up my beanstalk
When I start to come down on your fucking ass
You tried to chop shit on up
Played my shit like parks, bitch, I'm that
Legendary microphone's weaponry
You secondary bitch-ass fairies
Scary cats won't survive this verbal attack
You think you're slang can match
The Wu-Tang, emphatically now cypher
You fake crumbs, you should be stung on your tongue
While you young guns bunge, we plunge into the grunge
Deep into the dark dungeon, we come in one wind
Nine minds combine to form the wisest rhyme force to summon
I be the quoted mathematical combination
Unloading mysteries of life, you feel my solar wind blowing
Just then, I came on the stage like wind
Blew slang in your face and it touch your skin
You felt chilly, just like you smoked a bag of illy
You need a coat just to protect your throat
Two pairs of socks, kid, I'm cold like ice rocks
Chap-lipped duds can't fuck with the chatterbox
Cherry heads felt the draft of the ox
Shaolin niggas all fuck with one block
They forgot about the big Cappa slang murderer
Down with the union, big street sling murderer
Terrorizing, move, I'm tranquilizing
Fast getaway wit' the slow speed driving
Two miles an hour, Cappa do it wit' the power
Somebody blow something, cut fool in the tower
In "96 Recreation," Ol' Dirty Bastard, Cappadonna, and RZA come together to showcase their lyrical prowess and unique rap styles. The lyrics touch on various themes and employ intricate wordplay.
The opening lines introduce ODB's distinctive style, combining different languages and accents in his rap delivery. He boasts about his quick and unpredictable flow, referring to it as "dick-release spit." He compares himself and his fellow Wu-Tang members to blood vessels, effortlessly moving through bodies, while others struggle to reach their level of success.
Cappadonna takes over with a focus on his lyrical skill and ability to create excellence in his rhymes. He mentions his influence from Tony Starks (one of Ghostface Killah's aliases) and describes the internal creative process that drives him. Cappadonna emphasizes his rapid movements and accuracy in his delivery, portraying himself as a strategic and unstoppable force.
RZA's verse reflects on his journey and achievements, emphasizing his success in the rap game. He highlights his ability to overcome obstacles and never back down from a challenge. RZA also asserts that his lyrical rhyme schemes are always fresh and unique, showcasing his talent as a wordsmith.
Overall, the song showcases the individual strengths of each artist while also presenting a united front as Wu-Tang Clan members. The lyrics delve into their distinct personalities and styles, combining clever wordplay, metaphors, and braggadocious lines.
Line by Line Meaning
My acoustic pugilistic lingustic rap fabric
The way I rap is a unique blend of different languages and styles, delivering powerful and impactful lyrics
Is a mixture of Arabic, Sanscrit, English, italics
I incorporate elements from various languages and writing styles, making my rap diverse and captivating
I talk quick, y'all bitches can't comprehend my dick-release spit
I speak with such speed and intensity that you can't fully grasp the depth and meaning of my words
But love should I release hits
But when I unleash my music, it's like a wave of love and admiration from my fans
We travel through bodies like blood vessels
Our music flows through people's minds and souls, connecting with them on a deep level
While y'all crab niggas try to wrestle to be on top of this pedestal
Meanwhile, less talented individuals are competing and struggling to achieve the same level of success and recognition
Slang doctrine, minoxin, lyrical toxin, I'm chessboxin'
I possess a vast arsenal of slang, wordplay, and toxic lyrics, engaging in a strategic battle of wits and clever wordplay
Words is rushin' through like a herd of angry oxen
My words flow rapidly and forcefully, moving like a stampede of powerful beasts
Fatal for these pussy cat niggas is dead weight
For these weak individuals, my rhymes are deadly and burdensome
Concentrate, my murder rate accelerate, terminate
Focus on my lyrics, as they bring about a surge in deadly intensity, terminating the competition
I'm so spoiled like coke in the foil
I am highly valued and desired, just like cocaine wrapped in foil
Knock knock, I shot the whole block
I make a grand entrance, delivering explosive and impactful lyrics to captivate the entire audience
Electricity, flow splendidly
My energy and flow are electrifying, captivating listeners with their brilliance
Internally inside of me like Tony Starks' tee
These qualities reside within me, just like the Iron Man suit Tony Starks wears
I create excellency, one-sixty call L-O-U-N-G assist me
I excel in my craft, achieving greatness, and my fellow Wu-Tang member L-O-U-N-G supports and aids me in my journey
Papi wardrobe is key, roll promptly
Having a stylish and fashionable wardrobe is important, so I make sure to dress impeccably
For slang hall, vocabulary Igor, Frankenstein mind
I have a genius-like ability to construct unique and inventive slang terms, similar to Igor and Frankenstein creating their creations
Rewind for a minute while I dig down your track, stupid
Pause and take a moment to fully grasp the depth and brilliance of my lyrics as I dissect and analyze your weak track
I move quick shit is accurate, Kojack tactics
I possess swift and precise movements, employing strategies similar to the fictional detective Kojack
Chaos, Killa Bee minds, high society blackness, spread the rumor
My fellow Wu-Tang members and I bring a chaotic and powerful presence, representing the black community and spreading our influence throughout society
My lyrical marvel makin' more cream than Carvel
My exceptional and unparalleled lyrical skills bring in immense success and profits, surpassing even the popular ice cream brand Carvel
Y'all niggas best to hold your weight like barbell
You all need to step up and match my level of skill and dedication, just like holding the weight of a barbell
To my verbal swordsman school, students don't play truant
In my school of rapping, students never miss a day, always eager to learn and improve their skills
My most prudent pupil, rhyme under influence
My most wise and careful student, delivering rhymes under the influence of various substances
Of alcohol and tobacco, mushrooms imported from Morocco
Influenced by the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and hallucinogenic mushrooms imported from Morocco
Bellies on the rocks and a twenty sack of choco
Enjoying alcoholic beverages and chocolate while experiencing the effects of these substances
With forty tales and gold around the fist, bitch, I carve
Having numerous stories and success, I symbolically carve my name into the industry with solid gold
Lyrics on the paper so my family won't starve
I write lyrics to support and provide for my family, ensuring they never go hungry
I'm deep in the shit, I stay highly involved
I am deeply immersed in the rap game, always actively participating and staying engaged
Never in-conceited, never been beated
I remain humble and grounded, never succumbing to arrogance or defeat
Got trapped in many wars but not yet retreated
Despite facing numerous battles and challenges, I have never backed down or retreated
My style you need it, I just write to read it (damn, nigga)
My unique style is something you all desire, and I effortlessly write lyrics that demand to be read and heard
It's all fresh lyric, no nothing gets repeated (turn the mic on)
Every line I deliver is fresh and original, never repeating the same content, so turn the mic on and listen closely
I came a long way and, guess what? I succeeded
I have come a long way in my career, and guess what? I have achieved great success
I conquer my opponent and feed him baby food
I defeat my rivals, reducing them to a weak and helpless state, like a baby being fed pureed food
'Cause he's childish and illiterate and, yeah, has been rude
They are immature, ignorant, and have displayed disrespectful behavior
To the father year me, O-R-I-G
To the experienced and respected individual that I am, an original and influential figure
Respond to the war with the Killa Bee law
I react and engage in battles, using the principles and rules of the Wu-Tang Clan, known as the Killa Bee law
Scavenger nigga, you's a shrimp
You're a weak, insignificant individual, like a tiny shrimp scavenging for scraps
A full line of shit, my ear can't digest it
You're full of lies and nonsense, and my ears can't process or believe what you're saying
Stop drinking all that water, let's take it to the land
Stop speaking nonsense and let's get to the actual point or matter at hand
So I can Godzilla up your shit, Mr. Tiny Tim man
I will bring a destructive and overpowering force to your weak and insignificant presence, just like Godzilla facing off against Tiny Tim
Niggas be creeping up my beanstalk
Individuals are trying to imitate or copy my success and climb my ladder of fame
When I start to come down on your fucking ass
When I unleash my wrath and criticism upon you
You tried to chop shit on up
You attempted to disrespect or belittle me
Played my shit like parks, bitch, I'm that
You underestimated me and treated my work casually, but I'm the one who possesses true talent and greatness
Legendary microphone's weaponry
I wield the legendary microphone as my weapon, using it to deliver powerful and impactful lyrics
You secondary bitch-ass fairies
You are inferior and irrelevant, nothing more than weak and insignificant beings
Scary cats won't survive this verbal attack
Cowardly individuals won't be able to withstand or overcome the intensity of my verbal assault
You think you're slang can match
You believe your slang and wordplay can compare to mine
The Wu-Tang, emphatically now cypher
The Wu-Tang Clan, with great passion and energy, comes together to deliver a powerful and impactful performance
You fake crumbs, you should be stung on your tongue
You are insignificant and false, deserving to experience the pain and consequences of your deceitful words
While you young guns bunge, we plunge into the grunge
While inexperienced individuals hesitate and hold back, we fearlessly and eagerly dive into the gritty and challenging world of rap
Deep into the dark dungeon, we come in one wind
We venture deep into the mysterious and dangerous realm of rap, united as one powerful force
Nine minds combine to form the wisest rhyme force to summon
The collective intelligence and creativity of nine individuals come together to create a formidable and wise force in the world of rap
I be the quoted mathematical combination
I am the renowned and revered mathematical formula, symbolizing the complexity and brilliance of my rap skills
Unloading mysteries of life, you feel my solar wind blowing
Through my lyrics, I unravel and reveal profound truths about life, and you can feel the powerful force and impact of my creativity
Just then, I came on the stage like wind
Suddenly, I made a dynamic entrance onto the stage, swiftly capturing the attention and admiration of the audience
Blew slang in your face and it touch your skin
I delivered my captivating and unique slang directly to your ears, leaving a lasting impact and influence
You felt chilly, just like you smoked a bag of illy
You experienced a sudden shiver or thrill, similar to the feeling of smoking a potent strain of marijuana
You need a coat just to protect your throat
Your words were so icy and chilling that you need a protective shield or defense mechanism for your own throat
Two pairs of socks, kid, I'm cold like ice rocks
Even with two layers of protection, I still come off as cold and powerful, like frozen rocks
Chap-lipped duds can't fuck with the chatterbox
Inept and dry-mouthed individuals can't compete or engage in witty conversation with me, the master of words
Cherry heads felt the draft of the ox
Inexperienced individuals were intimidated and affected by the sheer force and power of my presence
Shaolin niggas all fuck with one block
The members of Wu-Tang Clan, hailing from Shaolin, maintain unity and solidarity within their group
They forgot about the big Cappa slang murderer
They overlooked and underestimated the significant impact and influence of Cappadonna, the master of unique slang and deadly lyrics
Down with the union, big street sling murderer
I am aligned with a collective force, ready to conquer the streets with my powerful and lethal rap skills
Terrorizing, move, I'm tranquilizing
I strike fear and intimidation, immobilizing and overpowering my opponents
Fast getaway wit' the slow speed driving
I make a quick and successful escape despite moving at a slow and controlled pace
Two miles an hour, Cappa do it wit' the power
Even at a leisurely pace of two miles an hour, I accomplish tasks with great skill and impact
Somebody blow something, cut fool in the tower
Let's celebrate and consume something, as I conquer and defeat my foes in the dominant position
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert F. Diggs, Darryl Robert Hill, Russell T. Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trzarector
When ODB died music was never the same! His energy is missing!
@shifubam3890
Indeeeeeeeed!
@cliftonsmith4013
Naw, can't say that. You acting like ODB was a top 5 MC. Honestly, I don't feel like it hurt Wu
@MrTimbo666
RIP to the osiris the A son ODB
@raulvargas2637
@@cliftonsmith4013 !00ñ00!ñ0ñ
@scorpsemelachela5752
@@cliftonsmith4013 wrong af he was #1
@Beanz730Tifa
My acoustic pugilistic linguistic rap fabric is a mixture of Arabic sanscript, in its italics.... A+
@ozvictorian
Boston5.56 English italics
@stevewilliams1696
RZA is 💯 lyrics
@stevewilliams1696
@Boston5.56 The Abbott spasd on dis shit got me blazing dis shit rite now suuuuuuu 👐