Young Dirty Bastard Calls Dad ODB A "Genius," Criticizes Wu-Tang Show Casting

BYErika Marie4.2K Views
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Young Dirty Bastard
Nothing against the actor who portrayed his father, but he thinks they should have reached higher.

Proud son Young Dirty Bastard 's life is dedicated to maintaining his father's legacy. The rapper has followed in his father's footsteps and is continuing to pursue a music career, even recently releasing his impressive single "Bar Sun." YDB was recently featured on Growing Up Hip Hop New York where viewers were able to learn more about Ol' Dirty Bastard's son, and it's clear that YDB is the spitting image of his father.

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Although it's been 15 years since the world lost the Wu-Tang legend, the stories of Ol' Dirty Bastard continue to flow. YDB sat down with AllHipHop to clear up misconceptions about his dad while praising his good deeds in the process. "My father always gave back," YDB said. "Let's say it's cold outside. The children gon'  eat. He gave 'em all the money out his pockets. They called him a dirty mothaf*cka, but he's the cleanest  one in his heart. He was a genius. People got him confused. And he was a leader, too."

The subject of Hulu's hit series Wu-Tang: an American Saga came up and it was mentioned that TJ Atoms, the actor who portrayed ODB, mentioned that he spent time with YDB to learn more about the rapper. YDB corrected the host and said, "We never spent no days together. Keep it real with you." He said that the actor asked "to chill" but that was as far as it went. "First of all, that's my family," YDB said. "If anything, we're supposed to pick who we want to play the role. That was orchestrated from a higher level that, you know, it was orchestrated behind doors the wrong way on my behalf."

"I think they should have definitely picked me," the rapper added. "Since I play the role every day. Life." He added, "To get anybody to do it and not reach to the highest actor on the pedestal at the time. I would have called Denzel [Washington], you know what I'm saying. He would have said no, but I would have called somebody else. I would have did that first before doing that." 

YDB also admitted that he wasn't impressed with TJ Atoms's portrayal of his father. The rapper said his mother is "pissed at it" because "he looks more like a goofball. My father wasn't no goofball." He stated once again that his father is a leader and he can't be seen leading anything in the series. Watch Young Dirty Bastard's interview in full below.


About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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