Ol’ Dirty Bastard is an iconic figure in Hip-Hop culture. Despite passing away at age 35 in 2004, the lore of O.D.B. a.k.a. Dirt McGirt a.k.a. Big Baby Jesus and a host of other aliases, lives on in the hearts and minds of Hip-Hop culture, music industry leaders and Hip-Hop history. A founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, one of the most distinctive and talented groups in music history, Russell “Ol’ Dirty Bastard” Jones has a story that needed telling. Seminal documentary director, Academy Award nominee Sam Pollard joined forces with his son, director Jason Pollard, to tell this very necessary story in an infectious way.
“Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” is the first official feature documentary about the Grammy-nominated musician, whose larger-than-life persona obscured that of a troubled man, who struggled with personal demons and finding the boundaries between himself and his publicly crafted image. A beloved figure, it takes a brave soul to take on the life story of a man many regard as a treasure in the Hip-Hop community. Co-director Jason Pollard was up for the task.
“As a huge 90’s hip-hop fan, I leapt at the opportunity to tell this story when my dad asked me to come aboard as a co-director, says Pollard. “The Wu-Tang Clan is a foundational music group for me and to have the chance to tell the story of one of its most creative, zaniest members was an honor and a privilege,” he adds.
Produced by Pulse Films (Beastie Boys Story, Meet Me in the Bathroom), Four Screens, and the Ol’ Dirty Bastard Estate in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment, “Ol Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” masterfully tells the story of Jones, his relationship with his family and his experiences with the industry that impacted his life. With exclusive rights to a never-before-seen personal archive filmed by his wife, Icelene Jones, interviews with his children, co-founders and collaborators like Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Mariah Carey, “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” becomes the definitive documentary of his life.
Tracing his story from a typical Brooklyn childhood to co-founding one of the most dynamic and influential Hip-Hop groups in history, the documentary shows Jones as a fully human being, highlighting his experiences as a son, father, boyfriend and husband. By incorporating the people closest to O.D.B. in the documentary, the co-directors show just how much of a role they played in his life and conversely, he played in their lives. By doing so, the Pollards show respect to Jones’ life and legacy and the importance of including those closest to a documentary subject to create an authoritative voice.
Once thought of as a dull medium, documentaries have flourished, particularly in the streaming era, offering great storytelling in interesting and compelling ways. “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” does not disappoint, making the case for how a brilliant and creative person with mental health challenges, can be ravaged by an industry teeming with users and predators, resulting in a tumultuous journey marked by iconic moments (Wu-Tang is for the children) and cringey moments (MTV interview with Touré). One might be surprised that the definitive documentary for Jones is airing on a mainstream network like A&E, which is known more for its true-crime and reality programming than Hip-Hop.
“Part of A&E’s DNA is telling the stories of iconic people who have left a lasting impact on culture and the world,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, Executive Vice President and Head of Programming for A&E. “‘Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys’ does just that with intimate, never-before-seen footage and interviews with the people who knew him best. The documentary tells his story while celebrating his life and his lasting impact on hip-hop and the music industry.” Jason Pollard understands the cultural importance of telling Jones’ story and why this story speaks to mainstream audiences.
“O.D.B. was an everyman who could relate to anyone and everyone. His journey is one of belief and struggle, which is something a lot of people can relate to,” offers Pollard. “Throughout his life he always stayed true to himself and wanted to have a personal connection with his fans, which he maintained throughout his career. His crazy antics and statements resonate in mainstream culture today. He was viral before we understood what that was and his persona endures to this day,” states Pollard.
Pollard’s research process included “relistening” to all of O.D.B.’s music, conducting interviews with industry insiders like Dante Ross, who first signed O.D.B. and Damon Dash, who signed him after a three-year prison bid, where Jones did not get the help or support he needed. Jones knew where he wanted to go and how to get there, but his struggle with drugs and mental illness would become too much to bear. The Pollards do a stellar job of focusing on Jones, the human being, while giving adequate attention to his crafted persona, which is a difficult task. The filmmakers brilliantly highlight O.D.B.’s double consciousness and his struggle with moving in and out of familial and industry spaces.
“I was definitively concerned about handling O.D.B.’s legacy, especially working closely with the family on the film.,” says Pollard who was concerned about properly representing a lauded Hip-Hop icon. Pollard overcame his fear by, “making sure to care about Russell Jones the man over O.D.B. the artist.” “As a man he had many flaws, but at his core he was so much more than his flaws. He was a good human being who tried to overcome his mistakes and truly make the lives of the people around him better,” Pollard adds.
Jones had a dream and a vision for his life and family and dying at 35 was not it. “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” makes this factor plain and shows how those left behind are haunted by their role in his death.
Sam and Jason Pollard bring forth the story of an ordinary man with extraordinary talent who faced unfathomable personal challenges that ultimately led to his death. Co-founder of the Wu-Tang clan with his blood cousin RZA, O.D.B. understood the importance of family, collaboration and dreams. It makes sense that Sam and Jason Pollard, father and son, would join forces to elevate the story of the man over the myth. Taking that approach to telling the story of Russell Tyrone Jones a.k.a. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, gives one of the most unique voices and performers in Hip-Hop history the respect he deserves, on and off the mic.
“Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” airs on A&E, Sunday, August 25th and streams the next day.
This article was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on social media @Ntellectual.
Follow The Burton Wire on social media @TheBurtonWireNews.
