WU-TANG CLAN CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF Ol’ DIRTY BASTARD ON NOV 15
Event hosted by the wife and children of Ol’ Dirty Bastard and nonprofit organizations the Hip Hop 4 Foundation and EGL P. U. D. Inc., will be held on the anniversary of his 50th birthday
Members of the Wu-Tang Clan, featuring Young Dirty Bastard, and other hip hop acts will headline an event celebrating the life and legacy of hip-hop icon Ol' Dirty Bastard of the Legendary Wu-Tang Clan on Thursday, November 15, at 7 pm, at The Roulette, located at 509 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard or O. D. B., was a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan and had hit singles such as “Shimmy Shimmy Ya," “Brooklyn Zoo," and “Got Your Money” in addition to hit songs with performers such as Mariah Carey and Pras [“The Fugees”].
O.D.B.’s wife Icelene Jones and children Taniqua Jones, Shaquita Jones, and Bar-sun Jones, who performs as Young Dirty Bastard, imagine that this event, held on what would have been the rapper’s 50th birthday, will be a reminder of his enduring commitment to his family and his community.
“We want people to remember that his family and community were always at the forefront of his work as an artist,” said Icelene Jones, his wife of 13th years. “For him, his music was never about the cars or the trappings that some artists sang about. He was truly and authentically in love with the art form of hip hop and when he was not recording or performing, he was with his family.”
Son Young Dirty Bastard, whose recent performance on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE with the Wu-Tang Clan received rave reviews, values the impact his father has had on the contemporary hip hop industry. “My Dad’s work is iconic and so many performers today speak of the influence that his work has had on them,” he said. “Their respect and regard for his contribution to hip hop music are what will keep his legend alive.”
Earlier this year, Variety magazine reported that Sony Pictures is in the early development of a biopic about the late rapper. It is rumored that his cousin, Wu-Tang leader RZA, has been tapped to produce the film.
“My father was REAL and he never changed for anyone,” remarked daughter Taniqua Jones, who also serves as manager for brother Young Dirty Bastard. “He did and said what was on his mind. He was a free spirit and a genius. I love you, Daddy.”
The November 15th event will be hosted by nonprofits EGL P.U.D., Inc and Hip Hop 4 Foundation, and the sponsors believe that this celebration will be remembered for all of the legendary performers as well as the fans who will mark the impact that he had on their lives and experiences with hip hop culture. The concert will also feature surprise appearances by nationally known artists.
National community organizer and head of the Hip Hop 4 Foundation YoNasDa Lonewolf has toured with the Wu-Tang Clan. “I’m truly excited to team up with Icelene, Taniqua, Shaquita, and Young Dirty Bastard for this event,” she said. “I know first hand that building is a part of the Wu-Tang family and one thing they have built is legacy. Hip Hop 4 Foundation also believes in legacy and it is an honor to celebrate the legacy of ODB. He was a great curator of the daily life and struggles of hip hop.”
“When you begin with the Wu-Tang Clan and Young Dirty Bastard, and then you add artists such as GK Leonitis, Ky’Lee, Hakim Green, Blahzay Blahzay, and Buddha Monk, you have an event that will blow up the internet,” host Yandy Smith, one of the stars of Love and Hip-Hop added. “We believe that this will be the type of celebration worthy of an artist whose collaborations and contributions transformed contemporary hip hop as we know it.”