Russell Jones aka the Ol' Dirty Bastard aka Dirt McGirt passed away on Saturday November 13th from unknown causes. He had been complaining about chest pains earlier in the day, and then collapsed in his recording studio. EMTs were on the scene earlier, but unable to revive him. He is best known for his work with the Wu-Tang Clan on the classic album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). He then released two solo albums; 1995 brought Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version while 1999 brought Nigga Please, which included the radio single "Got Your Money (featuring Kelis)." Nigga Please is known as helping launch the Neptunes' career by showcasing their producing skills. He was also known for his work with Mariah Carey for "Fantasy" and Pras for "Ghetto Superstar," a collaboration that also featured Mya.

Sadly, the ODB's reputation outweighed his rapping ability when such incidences as the 1998 Grammy Awards took the spotlight away from his music. During said awards, he stormed the stage during Shawn Colvin's acceptance speech to voice his outrage at P.Diddy (then Sean "Puffy" Combs aka Puff Daddy) winning an award over the Wu-Tang Clan in a different category. He is also notorious for an instance on MTV news when he picked up a Welfare check in a limousine. He was incarcerated for cocaine possesion, as well, remembered for telling the cops "to do the right things and make the drugs go away."

Russell Jones will always be remembered for bringing a special style to the Wu-Tang Clan, and for releasing some of the most eclectic and eccentric solo albums to major critical acclaim. He had a special way of combining rapping with singing and onomatopoeic bursts that was unique and ground breaking. He was only 35 years old, and two days away from his 36th birthday. He was supposed to have performed with the Wu-Tang Clan the night of his death.
(Source: mtv.com/news)

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of ODB.