Ol' Dirty Bastard

Russell Jones was a founding member of influential New York hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and followed that by enjoying a successful solo career. However, his drug problems and erratic behaviour led to persistent legal troubles, and he died of a drug-induced heart attack at the age of 35.

Together with cousins RZA and GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard ("ODB") gathered six more MCs to form the Wu-Tang Clan, and released the 1993 album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) which is considered one of the greatest ever hip-hop albums. Though subsequent Wu-Tang albums haven't been quite so successful, each member has pursued solo careers and Ol' Dirty Bastard's was one of the more successful. His debut solo album, Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (1995), was widely acclaimed and sold gold after the success of two singles, "Brooklyn Zoo" and "Shimmy Shimmy Ya". In September 99 he released Nigga Please, which included another worldwide smash hit in "Got Your Money". This success was remarkable considering his wild behaviour, obvious drug problems and constant trouble with the law. In New York and L.A. he was arrested several times for drugs and driving offences, as well as for shoplifting and failing to pay child support, and did himself no favours by missing court dates and being rude to the authorities. In October 2000 he abandoned a court-ordered stay in rehab and became a 'fugitive': after he was finally caught, he was sentenced to spend at least two years in prison.

He was released from prison in 2003 and in 2004 signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, but while in the recording studio he collapsed and died of an accidental overdose.