{"id":4039,"date":"2025-07-28T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/dirty-magic\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T13:00:00","slug":"dirty-magic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/dirty-magic\/","title":{"rendered":"Dirty Magic"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB_2-e1753478713433.jpg\" width=\"\" height=\"\" alt=\"Young Dirty Bastard. (Credit: credit goes to Courtesy of Wu-Tang Clan)\"><\/figure>\n<p>Young Dirty Bastard is driving around Atlanta, relishing in a rare day off from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewutangclan.com\/pages\/tour\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber<\/em><\/a><em> <\/em>tour. The 27-date trek\u2014billed as Wu-Tang Clan\u2019s last run\u2014had taken him to Denver just days earlier for a Fourth of July show with all surviving members of the celebrated hip-hop collective. Moments after he arrived at the venue, he was maneuvering around backstage, appearing somewhat frazzled yet ready to step back into the shoes of his late father, Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard.<\/p>\n<p>Now 36, Young Dirty Bastard (real name Barsun Jones) is only one year older than his father was when he died of an accidental drug overdose in 2004. He\u2019s been filling in for Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard since he was 18 years old, an enormous task for a teenager when considering the pedigree of the Wu-Tang Clan.<\/p>\n<p>More from Spin:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spin.com\/2025\/07\/ambrose-akinmusire\/\">The Owl and the Jazzman<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spin.com\/2025\/07\/bleachers-newport-folk\/\">Bleachers Jam With Hayley Williams, Maren Morris At Newport Folk<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spin.com\/2025\/07\/indigo-de-souza-finds-herself-on-the-precipice\/\">Indigo De Souza Finds Herself on the \u2018Precipice\u2019<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But anyone who has witnessed Young Dirty Bastard in action can attest to his professionalism onstage, innate rhyming skills, and effortless charisma. Coupled with his \u201cBrooklyn Zoo steez\u201d braids, he\u2019s a spitting image of his father in both appearance and personality. He admits, however, he was apprehensive the first time was thrown into the lion\u2019s den.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was definitely intimidating,\u201d he says of taking the ODB reins. \u201cWhen I first started, I obviously didn\u2019t know all of my father\u2019s music. You could be the son of whoever, but if you ain\u2019t listening to the music every day, practicing it and rehearsing it then it don\u2019t matter.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not all about how talented you are\u2014it\u2019s about you really taking the time to memorize things and build more skill. It\u2019s like a child trying to play piano. They gotta remember the keys!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Young Dirty Bastard is tasked with delivering some of Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard\u2019s most recognized solo singles, including \u201cShimmy Shimmy Ya,\u201d \u201cBrooklyn Zoo,\u201d and \u201cGot Your Money.\u201d Over time, performing them has become second nature\u2014but not without his father\u2019s help.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI used to just run out there you know and perform \u2018Shimmy Shimmy Ya\u2019 and I didn\u2019t really know what I was doing,\u201d he admits. \u201cI would just go crazy. I would let my spirit take over and it had nothing to do with control. Something else took control like the Tesla cars and of course it was my pops.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Eventually, Young Dirty Bastard was able to ditch the training wheels and pedal all by himself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDefinitely for the beginning of it, he was taking control because he didn\u2019t want me to mess everything up,\u201d he says. \u201cBut then years later, we started to merge. I learned how to control it. Now I know how to drive too, baby!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB_3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-469360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB_3.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB_3-340x425.jpg 340w, https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB_3-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB_3-498x623.jpg 498w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Credit: Courtesy of Wu-Tang Clan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>YDB was just 16 when he lost his father. Making it more intense was the manner in which Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard died. Diagnosed with schizophrenia around 2003, ODB appeared to be self-medicating.<\/p>\n<p>On November 13, 2004, two days before his 36th birthday, ODB was at RZA\u2019s recording studio in New York City, where he complained of chest pains. Seconds later he collapsed and was pronounced dead at the scene. His autopsy report concluded he had succumbed to a lethal mixture of\u00a0cocaine\u00a0and the prescription opioid\u00a0tramadol. Of course, nobody was prepared to lose him at such a young age, but it taught YDB a valuable lesson: \u201cBe real careful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was very paranoid,\u201d he explains. \u201cDoing drugs makes you paranoid. I automatically got that now. When he left, now I\u2019m paranoid. I don\u2019t know why, but I\u2019m the most paranoid person in the family, and I don\u2019t even smoke marijuana.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut my father\u2019s death taught me that paranoia could be a superpower. It can protect you. That\u2019s an animalistic behavior thing. That\u2019s something you need in the environment to survive.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard\u2019s death left his son with a complicated legacy to uphold. Still, he keeps teaching YDB from beyond the grave, though self-doubt does seep in sometimes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe taught me so many things without being here,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s like, \u2018Humble yourself because you are with legends.\u2019 He kind of left the WrestleMania ring to me with these giant idols, these nine iconic brothers Wu-Tang and I\u2019m just there. I don\u2019t know, I\u2019m trying to fill my role, do my part. But it\u2019s not easy because they know what they\u2019re doing. They\u2019re masters at their craft, and I\u2019m just watching and learning, and he kind of just left me in that spot.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But each night, with Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard\u2019s image emblazoned on the screen behind him, Young Dirty Bastard taps into something otherworldly and is able to capture his father\u2019s essence while simultaneously maintaining his individuality. Soon, Wu-Tang fans will have the chance to discover more about who Young Dirty Bastard is. With his role in the group coming to a ceremonious close as the final tour ends he has plans to further his reach.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe craziest part about all of this is that the Wu-Tang <em>Final Chamber<\/em> tour was kind of like a launch of my career,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s like, now there\u2019s nothing else to do, so they\u2019re like, \u2018What are you gonna do now, young man?\u2019 Go shoot for the stars. Go get another job.\u2019 They\u2019re not saying, \u2018You\u2019re out,\u2019 but I gotta just figure everything out in a different way and do what I do best.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That includes releasing his first solo album, although there\u2019s a sense he\u2019ll have the support of some of his Wu-Tang brethren.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI got some people that are joining to help me narrate this project,\u201d he says. \u201cI got over a thousand songs. I was always waiting for the right opportunity. I don\u2019t want to put out material at the wrong time without no big PR stunt team behind me or a big machine pushing me, because I got Wu-Tang, I gotta be on that level. Everything gotta be seen. So I\u2019ve always been patient. When a fellow wants a statue built, it might take a little longer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Then there\u2019s dancing\u2014yes, dancing. Young Dirty Bastard wants to \u201ctake that to the next level,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think there\u2019s gonna be more of what Michael Jackson and Prince was doing,\u201d he continues. \u201cWhen I\u2019m rapping on the stage with the iconic Wu-Tang brothers, I gotta be a rapper. But I got another side to me. You see the energy, but I got a whole other side to me. I can go James Brown real quick.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1066\" height=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-469362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB.jpg 1066w, https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB-340x510.jpg 340w, https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/static.spin.com\/files\/2025\/07\/YDB-498x747.jpg 498w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1066px) 100vw, 1066px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Credit: vivianvoproductions)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>For now, Young Dirty Bastard is embracing his new beginning and whatever that\u2019s going to look like. He recently partnered with video game giant SEGA on its <em>Shinobi: Art of Vengeance<\/em> merch line. Limited edition Shinobi apparel will drop at Hot Topic in August, which will serve as the introduction to YDB\u2019s clothing brand, Dirty Magic. It will coincide with the release of his upcoming <em>Shinobi<\/em>-inspired single, \u201cThe Path Just Begun.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat partnership with SEGA is major,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the biggest operators in the game right there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a dream a long time in the making. He can trace his love of video games back to childhood.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe last memory I have is when my Dad and I took a picture when he was locked up,\u201d he recalls. \u201cThat was probably one of the last pictures we took together. When he was locked up, I asked my mom to ask him for an Xbox when it first came out. My mom said, \u2018Don\u2019t get it for him because it costs too much.\u2019 My dad was like, \u2018Get it.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Beyond video games, YDB is also exploring his interest in film. Much like RZA, who\u2019s starred in films like <em>Nobody <\/em>and <em>American Gangster <\/em>as well as directed, produced, and scored several movies, he\u2019s always been captivated by the silver screen.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe got movie scripts that I\u2019m writing,\u201d he reveals. \u201cI guess the main goal is to follow the breadcrumbs of my cousin RZA. The truth is my father loved movies. He had all the VCR movies\u2014some of them were bootleg\u2014but we watched some of them back then. And it was just a lifestyle. So watching movies, the whole family, that\u2019s just what we did. And that\u2019s why we became directors and filmmakers later on in life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard will never get the chance to grow into old age, but his son is determined to keep his spirit alive\u2014and that could include a collaborative album.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf I could, I\u2019d probably make an album with my father,\u201d he says. \u201cI found his rap notebook. He said, \u2018Don\u2019t rap, it\u2019s not for you.\u2019 But I went and rapped and toured with Wu-Tang. If he could see it now, it\u2019d be beautiful, but I could definitely make an album with him. That\u2019d be dope. And I think with artificial intelligence, I think it\u2019s possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Final Chamber<\/em> tour went out with a bang on July 18 in Philadelphia, with Lauryn Hill, LL COOL J, and Freeway showing up to bid adieu. The closing night was another powerful reminder for YDB that \u201cwhen you get time with your family, you gotta really cherish those moments because it might really be the last tour.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s one question Young Dirty Bastard couldn\u2019t answer though\u2014and understandably so. When asked who is most like a father figure to him out of the entire Wu-Tang Clan\u2014Method Man, RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, or Cappadonna\u2014he stuttered.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh\u2026there\u2019s going to be a lot of brothers be like, \u2018Yo, hold on,\u2019\u201d he says with a laugh. \u201cShit. But everybody on the team definitely always lift me up when I\u2019m down. Spiritually, mentally\u2014we always pay homage to each other.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spin.com\/2021\/07\/the-greatest-rock-stars-of-all-time\/?utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_medium=bottomlink&amp;utm_campaign=yahoolink\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Young Dirty Bastard is driving around Atlanta, relishing in a rare day off from the Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber tour. The 27-date trek\u2014billed as Wu-Tang Clan\u2019s last run\u2014had taken&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,24,2962],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features","category-pushly","category-young-dirty-bastard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4039"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}