Ol' Dirty Bastard

I learned of Ol' Dirty Bastard's death last night during one of my many random visit's to Soundcircuit.com. When I viewed the thread title "Ol' Dirty Dead??", I assumed that it was simply another bullshit rumor about him. However, the articles I read on allhiphop.com and mtv.com confirmed it. The "Eddy Kane of the Wu-Tang" was dead.

Now, Ol' Dirty was not a family member or even a friend of mine, but his death has truly saddened me. I liken it to the way many Beatles fans feel watching their idols pass away one by one. Hip Hop is an important element of my life and will be a major part of my future career. I credit Ol' Dirty and Wu for laying the foundation of my hip hop interests. Their music opened my eyes up to the true essense of hip hop "beats, rhymes, and life." For this, the Wu hold a special place in my heart.

Many refuse to see Ol' Dirty Bastard as a credible artist, but those in the hip hop community know the greatness of his work. Though he in no way one of the best mcs in the Wu, he had some of the most memorable performances on their first to albums. His nihilistic, mysoginistic, and terroristic lyrical rantings stood apart from the other Clan members more traditional, yet still revolutionary, flows. His first solo album "Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version" is a landmark hip hop album. On the "Dirty Version", ODB gives his demented view of American inner-city life. What sets this apart from similar albums is that there is a quasi-demonic aspect to the music. I am not saying that Dirty had demons, though that was probably the case. I feel that there was a demonic nature to his lifestyle and environment and those demons are manifested in the album. Ol Dirty released two other albums and collaborated with artists such as Mya and friend Mariah Carey.

The life of Ol' Dirty Bastard represents the good and bad of hip hop culture. On one hand, his "I don't give a fuck" attitude was spirited in a country that sought to oppress and suppress those of his kind. Ol' Dirty Bastard was simply himself. He never put on a front or acted like someone he wasn't in order to advance his situation. Both Black and White America, since the American racial problem is aparantly dichotomous, seem to favor "Good niggers" although their definitions of them slighty differ. Ol' Diry Bastard was neither good nor bad, he was simply Dirty. This "keep it real" attitude is at the foundation of hip hop culture. It is what has helped hip hop become a major culture not only in this country, but around the world.

Dirty's life was also plagued with the vices that inflict many in hip hop and Black America in general. Like many of his peers, his "keep it real" attitude constantly put him in situations that led to violence and imprisonment. Like the late Rick James (who's "Cold Blooded" was eerily remade by Dirty on his "Nigga Please" lp), Ol Dirty Bastard lived on the edge. He had a terrible drug habit that prevented him living up to his musical potential. He had 13 children and I question whether he was a good parent to all of them. Unfortunately, Dirty was very much the stereotypical post-civil rights generation Black male. He was fatherless, an ex-con, a drug dealer, a drug addict, an irresponsible parent, and he died young.

Even though he was far from the ideal role model, Dirty has an undying legacy. I remember how proud I felt when he interrupted Shawn Colvin's grammy acceptance to protest Wu-Tang's grammy loss to Puffy Daddy. I also remember when Dirty allowed MTv to accompany him as he went to pick up his welfare check. Ol' Dirty Bastard, like all of us, had both positive and negative qualities. He was one of God's children and I hope that he's finally found peace.

taken from Vibe Dec 99/Jan 00 interview with ODB in the recovery center:

"I'ma stay ghetto," he declares, as a snowy TV screen hums in the corner. "Cops don't love me, but I love them. But they should stay out my motherfuckin' face. Don't stop my car when I drive by. My car ain't botherin' you. Don't worry about me [running red] lights. I don't do it in front of you, so don't worry about the shit. That's me."

-Russel Jones (aka Ol' Dirty Bastard)
11/15/1968-11/13/2004