Russell Jones aka Ol' Dirty Bastard aka Dirt McGirt aka Big Baby Jesus, was one of the most comical figures in hip hop history. His name Ol' Dirty Bastard, like many of the original Wu Tang member's names, pays homage to a kung fu flick, but was chosen because, as Method Man asserts on "Can It All Be So Simple," "we got the Ol' Dirty Bastard, cuz there ain't no father to his style." A truer statement has never been made about this unique figure in hip hop known for his absurd, half-rapped, half-sung, profane, free associative lyrics. ODB was more than just a hypeman, he was a beloved jester, a man that new how to live life to it's fullest. It is the distinct lack of ODB on all Wu releases after their classic debut Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers). While the Clan still had the rhymes of the 8 other members (including his cousins RZA and GZA), ODB's impact on the next few Wu collaboration was largely (and noticibly) absent due to his incarceration for various charges. ODB was that wild card that helped put Wu over the top and the group hasn't been the same since his tragic death in 2004. ODB was known for his antics in and out of the studio, even interrupting the 1998 Grammy's to complain about Wu Tang Forever losing to Puff Daddy (seriously, anyone losing to Diddy is probably a big slap in the face, but I thought this video would be applicable since it is much less contrived than Kanye's recent outburst).
Wu Tang is for the children and don't you ever forget that. This song is probably his most recognizable (other than possibly "Brooklyn Zoo") and is off of his solo album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (my second favorite Wu Tang solo album behind GZA's legendary Liquid Swords). RIP ODB.
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