Ol' Dirty Bastard's 50th Birthday Tribute at Roulette Intermedium
photo by Kenneth Bachor

Wu-Tang, Busta Rhymes, more celebrated ODB's 50th bday in NYC (pics, videos)

The late Ol’ Dirty Bastard would have turned 50 yesterday (11/15), and to celebrate his life, his family threw a tribute event with live music at Brooklyn’s Roulette Intermedium last night. It was a beautiful celebration, led by ODB’s son Young Dirty Bastard who also performed some ODB songs. YDB’s mother and grandmother (ODB’s mom) were both in attendance, as was Wu-Tang affiliate Popa Wu. There were vendors on site selling Wu-Tang chocolates, records, and vegan chocolate chip cookies, and a cake was presented in ODB’s likeness. There was a Shinnecock Native American tribute, calling to ODB’s Native American roots.

But the real highlight of the night was when ODB’s former Wu-Tang Clan groupmates took the stage to perform classics from their groundbreaking debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (which turned 25 last week). First Ghostface Killah showed up, then Masta Killa, then Raekwon, then RZA entered and soon got on the turntables. The night peaked when surprise guest Busta Rhymes entered the venue from the street (using the side-stage door) and proceeded to share some fond memories and laughs of him hanging out with ODB and the fruition of his own solo career back in the ’90s.

The night was opened by GK Leonitis and Blahzay Blahzay. Pictures are in the gallery above and some videos are below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqOmFZ5AZrB/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqOhCj1lPqi/

words & photos by Kenneth Bachor