The rapper that inspired Ol’ Dirty Bastard most of all
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The rapper that inspired Ol' Dirty Bastard most of all

The enigmatic figure of Ol’ Dirty Bastard, AKA ODB from Wu-Tang Clan is one that needs very little introduction. He is an icon of originality and a rapper that, for most people, simply has no equal. Of course, there are better spitters in the history of hip hop, however, nobody did it quite like ODB and, in a world of serial biters, his fresh outlook was always well-received.

For many people, the style and delivery of Ol’ Dirty Bastard was utterly unique. However, if you were to ask U-God, as legendary interviewer VladTV did, who ODB’s greatest influences were he had one name that refused to budge from his brain. Below, we check out the artist who influenced Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard the most.

Vlad suggested that ODB had no rapper he sounded like, saying “you can look at an artist and say ‘he kind of took so and so’s style and made it his own’, or ‘he’s a mixture of this rapper and this rapper. You look at Ol’ Dirty and there is absolutely nobody…” it is at this point U-God interjects.

“Nah, nah, you stand corrected,” he begins with authority. Fellow Wu-Tang man had his own opinions: “Ol’ Dirty’s idol was Biz Markie.” Vlad’s reply is a simple and stunned “huh”. U-God continues: “Now look at him. That’s Biz. The reinvention of Biz. Ol’ Dirty had a little bit of Bizmark and… Nah, just Biz. That’s the dude he loved the most.”

An icon of hip hop, the world sadly lost Biz Markie earlier this year. “It is with profound sadness that we announce, this evening, with his wife Tara by his side, Hip Hop pioneer Biz Markie peacefully passed away,” the rapper’s representatives said in a statement following Biz Markie’s recent and tragic death.

“We are grateful for the many calls and prayers of support that we have received during this difficult time,” the statement read. “Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years. He leaves behind a wife, many family members and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes and frequent banter. We respectfully request privacy for his family as they mourn their loved one.”

Watch the full interview with U-God below and see him re-tell some of Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s wildest moments.