Father-and-son filmmakers Jason and Sam Pollard, known for their insightful and empathetic storytelling, have joined forces to produce the documentary “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” for A&E. This compelling documentary provides an in-depth look into the life and legacy of the iconic Hip-Hop figure Big Baby Jesus.
The film offers unprecedented access to ODB’s inner circle, featuring exclusive interviews with his closest friends and family, including notable figures such as Mariah Carey, Wu-Tang Clan members Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, ODB’s wife Icelene Jones, his son Bar-Sun Jones, his parents, and recording industry executives such as Dame Dash
The documentary also showcases never-before-seen personal archive footage, a treasure captured by ODB’s wife, Icelene. This rare and intimate glimpse into ODB’s personal life presents him not only as a larger-than-life musical figure but also as a man, a father, and a husband. By exploring his life, the film aims to humanize ODB and shed light on his profound impact on music and culture, providing a comprehensive and intimate portrayal of his legacy and ensuring the audience feels intrigued by this exclusive footage.
Growing up in the nineties as a Hip Hop head, everyone knew who Ol’ Dirty Bastard was and the reaction you got when you heard the one-two punch of “Brooklyn Zoo” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” which set the stage for his appearance on Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” remix. The late rapper’s eccentric persona comes through entirely in the documentary as we hear stories about his lyricism and humanity.
The documentary traces the familiar narrative of emerging from a modest background and attaining significant success. What brings particular allure is the depth of insight offered by his family and colleagues. There were two moments from the documentary that stood out prominently. The first was the Toure interview, wherein ODB visited a check-cashing establishment and acquired food stamps. The second moment of note was the iconic “Wu-Tang is for the children” declaration.
While I initially found it lighthearted in my youth, I now recognize the profound significance of his words within a broader framework. Furthermore, the inclusion of perspectives from record executive Damon Dash regarding his decision to sign ODB provided invaluable insights into the artist’s career.
I was surprised by the absence of any reference to ODB’s contribution to the classic BOP, “Ghetto Superstar,” and by not hearing from every member of the Wu. Nevertheless, “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” remains a poignant and powerful documentary that illuminates the highs and lows of a rap legend who made an indelible mark on the hip-hop world.
Final Grade: B+
“Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” will stream this Sunday on A&E.
Growing up in the nineties, movies aimed at a melanin audience often featured soundtracks that had to be just as flavorful as the films themselves. This week, for Slow Jam Saturday, I want to take a trip back to 1993 and highlight one of the slow jams from the soundtrack of “Menace II Society”.
Last week marked two significant anniversaries for one of the greatest artists of all time, Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson. It’s only fitting that I show him some love for Second Listen Sunday. The first anniversary was on the 21st, commemorating nine years since his passing. The second anniversary was on the 22nd, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his seventh studio album, “Around the World in a Day.”
One of my most significant decisions late last year was to pledge to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. At the time of this writing, I am in Atlantic City for my fraternity’s Regional Conference, where I will represent my chapter, Beta Alpha Omega. In that regard, I believe the perfect song for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday is “The Best Man I Can Be.”