A&E documentary about Wu-Tang Clan's 'Ol' Dirty Bastard' Will Focus On Who He Was Onstage And Off
An icon in the world of hip-hop is being honored with a documentary about his life and influence on the genre.
Ol' Dirty Bastard, AKA Russell Jones, known for his famously unorthodox style and gritty vocals, will be the focus of a new A&E-produced doc about one of the most popular members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
An often misunderstood figure in the music industry, A&E assures the film "humanizes ODB as a man, a father, and a husband like never before... providing an intimate picture of ODB's life and reflecting on his lasting impact on music and culture."
The documentary will be produced by Pulse Films, along with Four Screens and the Ol' Dirty Bastard estate.
The working title for the film, Biography: Ol' Dirty Bastard, is going to be directed in a collaborative effort by Sam Pollard (Citizen Ashe) and his son Jason Pollard (Bitchin:' The Sound and Fury of Rick James), who is an editor on the project as well.
A&E assures fans that this deep dive into who Russell Jones was will include "a never-before-seen personal archive shot by his wife, Icelene Jones, and access to his closest friends and family."
The film will be based on the years between Jones' first solo album in 1995 and his tragic overdose in 2004. The doc hopes to explore his amazing triumphs, as well as the late rapper's troubled past.
"A celebration of his artistry and legacy, the documentary is an unflinching look at the complexities of his life including addiction, adultery, fame, mental illness, sudden wealth, race and criminal justice, and will ask the question of just how complicit the media and music industry were in hastening his demise."
Icelene Jones expressed her excitement for the project,
"I am thrilled to tell the full story of my husband. With this documentary, the world will learn about the son, the husband, the father, and the artist. I'm proud of the team that we built, including Pulse, my producing partners Nicole Beckett and Messiah Jacobs at Four Screens, and our directing team, the Pollards."
The film is still in the production phase, and there is no release date at this time.
