![Happy Birthday, Ol’ Dirty Bastard!](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2015/11/GettyImages-2296136.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Happy Birthday, Ol’ Dirty Bastard!
Over a decade after his passing, there's still no rapper quite like Ol' Dirty Bastard. Today, the late Wu-Tang Clan rapper would have celebrated his 49th birthday (Nov. 15).
ODB, whose real name is Russell Jones, was the definition of hip-hop spontaneity. He was an eccentric both as a person and a rhymer, snapping into sing-song and shouts in the middle of a verse on a whim. He'd still make a hit out of all the absurdity, like "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" and "Got Your Money" featuring Kelis.
In March of 1995, ODB (also known as Ason Unique) delivered his most celebrated album, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. The collection is a trip into hip-hop surrealism and features the bombastic track "Brooklyn Zoo."
Sadly, ODB's behavior became self-destructive. While stunts like getting a welfare check had inherent humor, but it was possible that Ason had serious mental issues. His issues were never resolved. On Nov. 13 2004, ODB died from a drug overdose.
The tragedy of ODB is a complex thing. His mania ended up killing him, but that, along with his artistic creativity, made him one of hip-hop's biggest folk legends.
More From TheBoombox
![The Very Wise Math Behind Naughty By Nature’s ‘O.P.P.': August 24 in Hip-Hop History](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2018/08/824.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Mariah Carey + More: July 19 in Hip-Hop History](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2018/07/Untitled-design-8.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Let Them Fight: The 15 Best Hip-Hop & R&B Moments From MTV Celebrity Deathmatch](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2018/05/diddydeathmatch.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Estate Launching ‘Dirty Coin’ Cryptocurrency](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2015/11/GettyImages-22961361.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![25 Rappers Who Have Been Shot](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2017/05/21-savage-camron-fabolous-beanie-sigel.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Marvel’s ‘Luke Cage’ Enlists Ol’ Dirty Bastard Classic for Trailer](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2016/07/luke-cage.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Son Details Watching His Father Get High [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2016/04/ODB-Jr-DJ-Vlad-YouTube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Marvel Comics Pays Tribute to Classic Albums With Hip-Hop Variant Covers [PHOTOS]](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2015/07/Marvel-D-Pool.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![100 Hip-Hop Facts That Will Blow Your Mind](http://townsquare.media/site/625/files/2015/06/jayznickiminajsnoopdoggtravisscott.jpg?w=980&q=75)