In an outpouring of love and appreciation, fans across the world have begun paying tribute to Ol' Dirty Bastard who died suddenly this weekend.

Within just hours of the news of the sudden collapse and death of Old Dirty Bastard, fans both in the U.S. and abroad have begun offering tributes to the irreverent rapper in word and song. Russell Jones, known to fans as ODB aka Ol' Dirty Bastard aka BZA aka Unique Ason aka Osirus aka Dirt McGirt aka Dirt Dog aka Big Baby Jesus, was embraced worldwide in spite of his unpredictable and outrageous behavior.

From his outburst at the 1998 Grammys, to being sentenced in New York in 2001 for drug possession followed by another sentence of two years in prison for violating his probation and possession of body armor in California, to his recent signing to Roc-A-Fella Records ODB continued to endear himself to hip-hop fans.

Stateside, rapper Lexlife of ODB's Brooklyn hometown offers up one of the first tribute songs for the late rapper. Recollecting ODB's irreverent antics and lifestyle, Lexlife raps:

"I remember when I first heard 'Shame on a ni99a'/ told me not to be scared to change on a ni99a / I just let my own style and get deranged on a ni99a... / I was happy for you the first day you got free, /Dame, a Roc chain and a bucket of chicken."
On one international memorial webpage, fans from locals as far away as New Zealand, Italy, The Netherlands, Australia, Africa and Sweden offered their condolences.

"No word could express the sadness of the international Hip-Hop movement," remarks mr.G of Paris, France.

"I'll tip my 40 in your memory," said Assassin Allah of Toronto.

And one fan named BJ expressed his sentiments to the late rapper, who would have been 36 years old today.

"I've got my iron flag at half mast today. Rest in Peace."




















R.I.P.






[Edited 11/15/04 10:15am]

i just heard this last night...i was in shock.

so young, i couldn't believe it.

I've been rockkin this avatar for some time now! ODB aka Big Baby Jesus was always my favorite member of the Wu Tang Clan!!!! Rough rugged and raw ain't nobody can drink massive amounts of liquor and still bust decent raps on stage like ODB! R.I.P.Unique Ason

sorry, but...http://www.prince.org/msg/8/122314