The man not known as Russell Tyrone Jones would have been 44 years old today, if he hadn’t died of a drug overdose eight years ago. Jones was famous to millions as Ol’ Dirty Bastard, one of the founding members of Wu-Tang Clan-turned-solo artist and someone who you weren’t sure if he was crazy, but acting a little more crazy as part of an bizarre gimmick, or whether he’s genuinely insane. (OK, he was a loon.) But that was a large part of appeal (well, that and the fact that he was a gifted rapper and producer), and why his legacy remains so strong today: actor Michael K. Williams will portray ODB in an upcoming film, Dirty White Boy.
Also, he had some amazing nicknames. In honor of Russell’s birthday, I’ve collected all his alter egos that I could find (minus Ol’ Dirty Chinese Restaurant from Chappelle’s Show) and ranked them from great to greatest. Because they’re all fantastic and you should listen to “Dirty the Moocher.”
#28. Hasaan
#27. Rain Man
#26. The Professor
#25. Ason Unique
#24. Osiris
#23. Osiris the Father (he went by both)
#22. The BZA
#21. The Drunken Master Styles
#20. Sweet Baby Jesus
#19. Dirt Dog
#18. The Bebop Specialist
#17. RJ Tha Mad Specialist
#16. Ill Irving the Murderer
#15. Barney Kool Breeze
#14. Ol’ Dirt Schultz
#13. Prince Delight
#12. Blunted Sultan
#11. Peanut the Kidnapper
#10. Freeloading Rusty
#9. Joe Bananas
#8. Big Box o’ Chili
#7. Super Bastard
#6. Ol’ Dirty Bastard
#5. Dirk Hardpec
#4. Big Baby Jesus
#3. The Man of All Rainbows
#2. Dirt McGirt
#1. Roll Fizzlebeef
That last one’s a little contentious. It’s credited as an ODB nickname all over the Internet…but it’s also one of the fictional action star names from the classic Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode, Space Mutiny. Either way, it’s still #1, and will be until Big McLargehuge is a real name.
