Ole Dirty Bastard

[Fierce Critter]

Dead, thusfar of unknown causes. Would have been 36 on Monday, November 15.

[JaneDead]

The controversial rapper collapsed in a recording studio in New York on Saturday after complaining of chest pains, paramedics were called to the scene but were unable to revive him, it would have been his 36th birthday today.

Born Russell Tyrone Jones in Brooklyn on November 15 1968, he formed the Clan in the early 1990’s with Gary Grace aka The Genius and Robert Diggs aka RZA. They soon became a collective that incorporated the talents of among others the Method Man and GhostFace Killah.

With the Clan ODB helped create mile stone albums such as 'Wu-Tang Forever' (1997) as well as appealing to broader audience by appearing on Mariah Carey’s ‘Fantasy’ single and Kelis’ ‘Got Your Money’.

His drugs addiction cast a slight shadow over his musical skills and was the victim of several shootings. He ended up in prison in 2000 following a series of court appearances and continuing threatening behaviour towards members of his family and others in the music industry.

After being released in 2003 ODB signed a contract with the Roc-A Fella label and was working on his comeback album at the time of his death.

Fellow Clan member GhostFace Killah told fans gathered outside the studio where he died on Saturday "This ain't no joke. This is real life, just like if you lose your mother, your brother. This is real life.

"It's a big loss. It's a big loss right now. I knew him for 20 years. He was my brother, heart, soul, pride and joy,” reports anti-music.

On hearing the news, the Telegraph writes today that his mother told reporters: "To the world he was known as Ol' Dirty Bastard, but to me he was just Rusty, the most generous soul on earth."

Gone, but not forgotten.

*pours some beer on the curb*

[Fierce Critter]

he was just Rusty, the most generous soul on earth.

Ummm... if I'm not mistaken, this is the guy they showed on an MTV special going to collect his welfare checks within the past couple years...

I hardly think it's appropriate to laud his "generousity" under those circumstances.