By Blake Gillespie + Nicole Johnson

As we at IMPOSE sit listening to “Good Morning Heartache”, we reminisce over the loss of a man who had no father to his style. We reminisce over a son who was truly unique, a man who had the audacity, and credibility, to refer to himself as “Big Baby Jesus”. We mourn the loss of a man who once took MTV to the welfare line in a limousine, a man who interrupted the Grammys to remind everyone in the music business that “Wu-Tang is for the children.” Today we reflect on the life of Russell Jones, known to the world as Ol’ Dirty Bastard, with 14 illegitimate children of Ol’ Dirty Bastard, a mix of our favorite ODB contributions throughout his illustrious career.

1. Wu-Tang Clan – “Shame on a N****”
We open with this song simply because Dirty’s contributions sum up his style. Within minutes of opening his filthy mouth he has already threatened to fuck someone’s ass up; by the fading of the horns he has confessed gonorrhea cases and won our hearts with a reference to The Warriors. Asking for anything more here is just greedy.

2. Wu-Tang Clan – “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’”
His signature crooning beneath the killer bees chorus is just ODB warming up a little bit (clears throat). This selection is notable for Dirty’s Wu roll call. Ghostface should feel permanently blessed knowing that ODB gave him the best introduction any emcee could ever receive.

3. Wu-Tang Clan – “Dog Shit”
Wu-Tang Forever is an ear opening record for an eighth grader from Ohio. “Dog Shit” (the edited version with dog barks and female orgasms as the “clean sounds”) was the filthy track that dominated my prepubescent years of perverted fixation, even if I did not learn about “tossed salad” until sophomore year. This is three minutes of purely uninhibited ODB madness. You’ve been shitted on, you stankin’ ass hoe!

4. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”

As if we already did not know, ODB dedicates an entire chorus to informing everyone just how raw he likes it. This should be a karaoke standard if it were not for the backwards vocals on the second verse… fuck it, it’s just another chance to jump on stage and get raw. Remember, you need to sing to get some pussy.

5. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Brooklyn Zoo”

A.k.a. Blake Gillespie’s all-time favorite ODB song. Because he is white and respectful, he changes all the n-words to “ninja.” This song is the reason he has never gotten dusted. If you are ever in a car with him when this song comes on, the ghost of Dirt McGirt will inhabit his body, leading him to convulse and shame anything that steps to him, as though he were actually dusted. This song is also the origin of his favorite onomatopoeia, “BLAOW,” which he devoted all positive forms of expression to for two years of his life.

6. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Raw Hide”

“I came out my momma pussy. I’m on welfare, 26 years old… still on welfare.” “I want to see blood. Whether it’s period blood or busting your fucking face… Some Blood!” “You bound to catch AIDS or something. Not saying I got it. But n****, if I got it, you got it!” These three quotes basically solidify the inclusion of this song on any ODB mix — no mixtape is complete without Dirty terrorizing a few songs with blood and AIDS.

7. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Don’t You Know”

Proving here he’s not just a raving lunatic, but a raving lunatic who can tell a story. I like to imagine this tale as a picture book ODB is sharing with a classroom before the afternoon nap. “I begged, I begged. Easy on my balls they are fragile as eggs.” Wu-Tang is for the children. –(1-7 by BG)

8. Ol’ Dirty Bastard feat. Kelis - “Got Your Money”

Thanks to The Neptunes, this crazy ass song became a frat-house classic. He attempts to make ugly girls feel pretty and exclaims that “God made dirt and dirt bust ya ass” all while urging his girls to give him the money he rightfully deserves. Arguably the best part of this great track is the end when Dirty lets loose some glorious multi-octave-spanning vocal flourishes. And remember - he didn’t have a problem with you fuckin him, but he had a little problem with you not fuckin him. Just an FYI. –NJ

9. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Goin’ Down”

I heard somewhere that “Lovely Day” has the world record for the longest recorded sustained note. That is great and all for Bill Withers, but lets see him do battle against Big Baby Jesus in a cackling contest. This song is also included for ODB randomly giving his take on “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Wouldn’t it be great if at the other end of a rainbow Big Baby Jesus was chilling with a pot of PCP, some 40ozs and hoes to impregnate? –BG

10. Ol’ Dirty Bastard - “Rollin’ Wit You”

This track is one of the best hip hop moments ever. He starts by calmly explaining his point. You don’t seem to get it, so he screams like an exasperated, under appreciated mother - “Y’all better be HAPPY the Ol Dirty Bastard is here! Y’all better be HAPPY that I’m here!” He then proceeds to instructs white people to “shut the fuck up and shut the fuck up,” and THEN he requests a beer. I mean, he’s the only black god, he’s got the key to your ho AND he controls “Michael Jackson Thriller.” I didn’t even get to the poor zombified ladies who sound like they can barely muster the chorus of “Jesus, I’m rollin wit you.” I can’t write the whole song down for you people. If you haven’t heard it, drop everything and find it now. What’s that you say? You don’t understand why this is the best song ever? Y’all better be happy Nicole Johnson is here! Y’all better be happy that I’m here! Yo, can I get a beer? I need some beer. –NJ

11. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”

Only ODB could cover an Elton John duet with Macy Gray. Unlike Elton and Kiki Dee, it is believable that these two would never break the other’s heart. ODB would do time for Macy, Elton would do time for himself… sorry Kiki. –BG

12. Rhymefest feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Build Me Up”

Should Nicole Johnson and Blake Gillespie ever meet, Blake would probably attempt to woo her with his best ODB impression by singing this song. She would probably tell him, “shut the fuck up and shut the fuck and that’s what you do.” But that is only because Blake included the part of the song where Dirty expresses his fondness for the way she gives brains. –BG

13. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “Good Morning Heartache”

Ason Unique gets in touches with his sun rise blues. As we attempt to celebrate the life of Russell Jones on this cold November morning. We cannot help but feel heartache for the absence of our hero and friend, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. –BG

14. RZA feat. ODB - “Kiss of a Black Widow”

Bobby Digital was released in ‘98, the year before Ni$$a Please, and on this track ODB gave the world a glimpse of the madness that was to come in ‘99. The opening line from RZA - “Are you complaining about that shit again?” - leads ODB into a mind-blowing tirade regarding bitches in which he manages to say some permutation of the word motherfucker 12 times in the first 25 seconds. Thank god someone was recording. Oh, and did I mention that a slightly sped up Portishead sample is looped throughout in the background? “Bitches, we love you motherfucker,” indeed! –NJ