Ol' Dirty Bastard Dies at Age 35
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rapper O.D.B., known as much for his run-ins with the law as for his colorful lyrics, collapsed and died inside his studio Saturday, his record label said. He was 35.
O.D.B., whose real name was Russell Jones (search), had complained of chest pains before collapsing at his Manhattan studio, according to a statement from his record label, Roc-a-Fella.
Jones, known as Ol' Dirty Bastard (search) or O.D.B., was a founding member of the hit rap group the Wu-Tang Clan.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jones' life was as wild as his rap.
In 1998, he was wounded in a shooting during a robbery in his apartment. He was frequently in trouble with the law ranging from traffic violations to drug possession.
In February 1998, he crashed the stage at the Grammy Awards and hijacked a microphone from singer Shawn Colvin as she accepted an award, apparently upset over losing the best rap album Grammy to Puff Daddy. He complained that he spent a lot of money for new clothes because he thought he was going to win. The rapper later apologized
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With hits such as "It's Yourz," the Wu-Tang Clan (search) has sold millions of records and has a successful clothing line. Its members have also enjoyed hits as spin-off acts, including O.D.B.