Rihanna Gets ODB-Inspired Diamond ‘Dirt’ Grill From Gabby Elan
Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Today In Hip Hop History: ODB Released His Debut Solo Single “Brooklyn Zoo” 28 Years Ago
On this date in 1995, Russell Jones aka Ol’ Dirty Bastard dropped the premier single from his debut album Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version on Elektra Records. Produced by in-house Wu producer True Master, this track was Dirty’s second highest-charting single, only to be topped by “Got Your Money” from his N***a Please album.
With the name of the song originating from his crew, who were aptly called Brooklyn Zu, there was a well-known Brooklyn gang, who at the time, used the name which prompted ODB to get shot in the Brevoort Housing Projects in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.
As one of the borrough’s most memorable anthems, Brooklyn will forever remember ODB as a “native son” that definitely repped BK to the fullest.
#RIPODB
The post Today In Hip Hop History: ODB Released His Debut Solo Single “Brooklyn Zoo” 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.
Exclusive: Get an Early Look at Hulu’s ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ Season 3
SZA’s ‘S.O.S.’ Tracklist Features Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, And Ol’ Dirty Bastard
It’s all happening, y’all: SZA’s sophomore album S.O.S. is right around the corner. The “Broken Clocks” singer revealed the release date during her Saturday Night Live performance this past weekend and S.O.S. is dropping this Friday, December 9th. It’s been a long-time coming since the brilliant Ctrl established SZA as a bona fide force back in 2017 and SZA has had her share of delays for the new album in the years since. Now that we’re finally, officially on the home stretch, SZA has now shared the S.O.S. tracklist and it has its share of surprises (Phoebe Bridgers!) and familiar faces.
For starters, both the previously released first single, “Shirt” and the SNL-debuted “Blind” are among the album’s 23 tracks. Yes, that’s right, 23 tracks! Travis Scott is set to appear on another collaboration with SZA on a track called “Open Arms.” There’s a posthumous appearance from Ol’ Dirty Bastard on the album-closing “Forgiveness,” Don Toliver will appear on “Used,” and then perhaps the most unexpected featured guest, Phoebe Bridgers, is on the album’s 12th track, “Ghost In The Machine.”
It’s giving y’all want number 1 … we go w that then .
— SZA (@sza) December 5, 2022
SZA also reached out to fans to ask which of two back cover designs they liked. The more minimal layout of the tracklist which better showcases a photo of SZA won out.
Check out the full tracklist for S.O.S. below.
1. “S.O.S.”
2. “Kill Bill”
3. “Seek & Destroy”
4. “Low”
5. “Love Language”
6. “Blind”
7. “Used” Feat. Don Toliver
8. “Snooze”
9. “Notice Me”
10. “Gone Girl”
11. “Smoking On My Ex”
12. “Ghost In The Machine” Feat. Phoebe Bridgers
13. “F2F”
14. “Nobody Gets Me”
15. “Conceited”
16. “Special”
17. “Too Late”
18. “Far”
19. “Shirt”
20. “Open Arms” Feat. Travis Scott
21. “I Hate U”
22. “Good Days”
23. “Forgiveless” Feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard
S.O.S. is out 12/9 via Top Dawg Entertainment/RCA Records. You can pre-save it here.
Today In Hip Hop History: Wu Tang Clan’s Epic ‘Wu Tang Forever’ Double CD LP Turns 25 Years Old!
On June 3, 1997, the Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game gave the world a double dose of their killer bee stings when they dropped the Wu Tang Forever double CD LP.
The album was executively produced by the Abbott himself, RZA, along with assistance from 4th Disciple, Inspectah Deck and True Master. Released to the public under the Loud/RCA imprint with direction from the illustrious Steve Rifkind, this album was certified gold in its first week and was certified 4X platinum by the RIAA within four months of its release.
Some of the hits include the album’s lead, “Triumph”, “Older Gods”, “Duck Season” and the prophetic title of their current album, A Better Tomorrow. The Clan just celebrated 20 years together in 2013 looking back on two decades of music. The Clan is also currently working on an album with Ghostface Killah running the show.
Peace to the entire Clan for giving us such a monumental project without the assistance of radio/video play, which is the mark of true artistry. Salute to RZA, Divine, Power, Steve Rifkind and everyone who helped make this album a timeless classic!
The post Today In Hip Hop History: Wu Tang Clan’s Epic ‘Wu Tang Forever’ Double CD LP Turns 25 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.
Today in Hip-Hop History: Wu-Tang Clan Released Their Debut Single “Protect Ya Neck” 29 Years Ago
On this day in 1993, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan began their reign as one of the most powerful and influential rap groups in history by releasing their debut single, “Protect Ya Neck.” With this track, Wu-Tang took the rap game by storm with a style unheard and an attitude unseen. “Protect Ya Neck” set a tone in Hip Hop that shifted the genre toward a more hardcore, rugged sound.
Originally recorded in a different order with a completely different beat, group member RZA took the liberty to reconstruct the song in post-production to the goliath that we all know and love. According to him, all he needed was the vocals of the group. The original beat used was just a placeholder used to get the verses. RZA’s unique style also incorporated the kung-fu film dialogue and fought scenes throughout the track. This unique style of production became a trend for Wu-Tang Clan.
To clarify any confusion about who is who on the song, the order of verses is as follows: Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, & GZA. The single was first released independently through Wu-Tang Records and had “After the Laughter Comes Tears” as the B-side. Loud Records later re-released it with “Method Man” as the B-side. It sold 10,000 copies.
The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Wu-Tang Clan Released Their Debut Single “Protect Ya Neck” 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard Documentary Coming to A&E
A Documentary On Ol’ Dirty Bastard Is Coming To A&E
A two-hour documentary on the late rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard will air on A&E. Approved by the “Got Your Money” rapper’s estate, the documentary, tentatively titled Biography: Ol’ Dirty Bastard, will feature never-before-seen archived footage filmed by his wife, Icelene Jones, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I am thrilled to tell the full story of my husband. With this documentary the world will learn about the son, the husband, the father and the artist,” Jones told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m proud of the team that we built, including Pulse, my producing partners Nicole Beckett and Messiah Jacobs at Four Screens, and our directing team, the Pollards.”
Produced by Pulse Films, alongside Four Screens, the documentary will showcase ODB from the beginning of his solo career in 1995 up until 2004, when he died of a drug overdose. The documentary will also provide looks back to the Wu-Tang Clan founder’s “trauma-filled” childhood and how it influenced his craft. Fans, close friends, and family will also share stories of ODB.
“Biography: Ol’ Dirty Bastard will present viewers with the untold story of the man and the musician who made an immense cultural impact across just a few short years,” said A&E’s executive vice president and head of programming, Elaine Frontain Bryant, to the magazine.
Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 27 Years Ago
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut solo LP, Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. Released by Elektra Records, Return of the 36 Chambers was only the second solo LP by any Wu-Tang member. Largely produced by fellow Wu-Tang emcee RZA, the album had a mostly positive commercial reception.
Peaking at number seven on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart, Return of the 36 Chambers sold 81,000 albums in its first week and was certified gold later that year. The album was also nominated for “Best Rap Album” at the 1996 Grammy Awards.
Coming off such a successful group debut, there were little critics could say to discount the record. The Source, Rolling Stone and Allmusic have all given the project four out of five stars. In 1998, The Source selected the album to be a part of its 100 Best Rap Albums list.
Following Return of the 36 chambers: The Dirty Version, ODB went on to release one more solo album, Nigga Please, before his untimely demise in 2004. Ol’ Dirty will forever be remembered as one of the most talented and unique emcees to ever grace the mic.
The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 27 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.