Synopses & Reviews
On the tenth anniversary of Ol Dirty Bastards death, his right-hand man and best friend, Buddha Monk, presents
The Dirty Version—the first biography of the hip-hop superstar and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, to be written by someone from his inner circle.
Ol Dirty Bastard rocketed to fame with the Wu-Tang Clan, the raucous and renegade group that forever altered the hip-hop world. ODB was one of the Clans wildest icons and most inventive performers, and when he died of an overdose in 2004, at the age of thirty-five, millions of fans mourned the loss. ODB lives on in epic proportions and his antics are legend: he once picked up his welfare check in a limousine; lifted a burning car off a four-year-old girl in Brooklyn; stole a fifty-dollar pair of sneakers on tour at the peak of his success. Many have questioned whether his stunts were carefully calculated or the result of paranoia and mental instability.
Now, Dirtys friend since childhood, Buddha Monk, a Wu-Tang collaborator onstage and in the studio, reveals the truth about the complex and talented performer. From Dirtys days with Buddha on the streets of Brooklyn to the meteoric rise of Wu-Tangs star, from his bouts in prison to his court-mandated rehab, from his favorite kind of pizza to his struggles with fame and success, Buddha tells the real story—The Dirty Version—of the legendary rapper.
Review
Hlarious, profound, entertaining, and inspiring . . . One of the most interesting and unpredictable biographies Ive ever read. The Dirty Version travels light-years beyond ODBs shocking headlines to illustrate the relentless humanity of a free loving American icon. MK Asante, author of BUCK: A MEMOIR
Review
“Monk is a genial narrator and provides an authentic look at the N.Y.C. hip-hop scene [and] a unique perspective on the troubled life of an intriguing artist.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“Everywhere Ol Dirty Bastard went, Buddha Monk was there. Buddha was Dirtys hype man on stage, and he helped protect him on tour when Dirty didnt have any security. Buddha was everything to Dirty.” Icelene Jones, Dirty's widow
Review
“Buddha Monk and Dirty were like Batman and Robin. Buddha wore many hats - he was an engineer, hype man, bouncer, and bodyguard. As long as Ive been working with my cousins in Wu-Tang, Buddha Monk was there. I cant remember a time when he wasnt.” John "Mook" Gibbons, founder and CEO of Wu-Tang Management and cousin to RZA, GZA, and Ol' Dirty Bastard
Review
“Dirty and Buddha were the twin towers. There aint no Brooklyn Zu without them. It was rare to see Dirty do a show without Buddha Monk.” Hell Razah of Sunz of Man
Review
“An unprecedented portrait of Jones inner life.” Salon
Review
“Monk captures [ODBs] charisma and charm, but also the joy and pain that fame brought [him], as well as the drugs, the women and the demise. Its a great work in honor of an individual who tried to walk the best line he could.” Ebony
Review
“Cuts through the urban legends to present more complex sides to the infamous icon.” i.-D. Magazine
Review
“Provides a unique perspective [and an] entertaining, insightful portrait . . . For even a casual hip-hop fan, The Dirty Version is an easy and enlightening read. And for true hip-hop heads, this is some essential stuff. Word is bond.” Winnipeg Free Press
Review
“An eye-witness account about the life and times of the larger-than-life character.” Philadelphia City Paper
Synopsis
On the tenth anniversary of his death, The Dirty Version is the first biography of hip hop superstar and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ol' Dirty Bastard, to be written by someone from his inner circle: his right-hand man and best friend, Buddha Monk.
Ol' Dirty Bastard rocketed to fame with the Wu-Tang Clan, the raucous and renegade group that altered the world of hip hop forever. ODB was one of the Clan's wildest icons and most inventive performers, and when he died of an overdose in 2004 at the age of thirty-five, millions of fans mourned the loss. ODB lives on in epic proportions and his antics are legend: he once picked up his welfare check in a limousine; lifted a burning car off a four-year-old girl in Brooklyn; stole a fifty-dollar pair of sneakers on tour at the peak of his success. Many have questioned whether his stunts were carefully calculated or the result of paranoia and mental instability.
Now, Dirty's friend since childhood, Buddha Monk, a Wu-Tang collaborator on stage and in the studio, reveals the truth about the complex and talented performer. From their days together on the streets of Brooklyn to the meteoric rise of Wu-Tang's star, from bouts in prison to court-mandated rehab, from Dirty's favorite kind of pizza to his struggles with fame and success, Buddha tells the real story--The Dirty Version--of the legendary rapper.
About the Author
Buddha Monk is an MC, producer, and singer who toured the world with Ol Dirty Bastard and the Wu-Tang Clan. He was Dirtys onstage hype man and was instrumental in recording and producing his debut solo album, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. The saga continues: today Buddha tours and releases albums as a solo artist and produces and performs with acts such as the Committee, Heissman-Black Bush the Movement, Zu Bulliez, Brooklyn Zu, and many more.
Mickey Hess is Professor of English at Rider University, where he teaches creative writing and Hip-Hop and American Culture. He is the author of Big Wheel at the Cracker Factory and Is Hip Hop Dead? The Past, Present, and Future of Americas Most Wanted Music, and the editor of Greenwood Presss Icons of Hip Hop and Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide.