In Memoriam
Ol' Dirty Bastard
November 15, 1968 – November 13, 2004 · aged 35
Hip-Hop · Hardcore Rap
Russell Tyrone Jones, universally known as Ol' Dirty Bastard (ODB), was the wildly unpredictable and brilliantly eccentric wild card of the legendary hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. Born in Brooklyn in 1968, ODB possessed a half-rapped, half-sung delivery that was completely unique—a chaotic, off-beat style that sounded utterly unhinged yet deeply musical. His 1995 solo debut, 'Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version,' featuring hits like 'Shimmy Shimmy Ya' and 'Brooklyn Zoo,' solidified him as a superstar. However, his immense talent was heavily overshadowed by continuous legal troubles, erratic behavior, and severe drug addiction. Just two days before his 36th birthday, on November 13, 2004, ODB collapsed and died in a recording studio from an accidental drug overdose. His raw energy and unpolished authenticity remain irreplaceable in the hip-hop world.
Milestones
Shimmy Shimmy Ya, Got Your Money, Brooklyn Zoo
Also remembered in 2004
- Dimebag Darrell (1966–2004)
- Johnny Ramone (1948–2004)
- Ray Charles (1930–2004)
- Rick James (1948–2004)