Ol’ Dirty to Dirt McGirt: Welcome Home
A two years stretch in jail is liable to test
hip-hop’s collective, forgetful memory. However, when Ol’ Dirty Bastard,
now known as Dirt McGirt, was greeted with a flock of reporters, photographers,
fans and family – a reminder that Dirt is one of the most fascinating rappers
to grace the culture. Now a Roc-A-Fella soldier, what does the man born Russell
Jones do? Reinvents himself. Starts a clothing line. Gets a reality show. So,
get set for a new album anchored as you are about to be reacquainted with the
same affable, zany character that changed the face of rap music.
The following is an interview with several reporters
from the New York Metropolitan area.
[Introduction] Dame Dash: My name is Dame Dash.
I’m the CEO of Roc-A-Fella. I think what you are witnessing is an evolution
of an empire…and now its time to evolve. It’s time to do bigger things and
touch everyone. What we want to do is take over the whole world, the planet.
We want to be the best at everything. Any opportunity I see, when I see a good
person, when I see someone as talented, that’s about their business, that
wants to get money, I could care less about what everybody else says about them.
All I know is what I see. And that’s why I have chosen to get with Ol Dirty
Bastard. What’s your new name?
ODB: Dirt McGirt. [crowd laughs, cheers and claps.]
DD: That’s a cake-aholic [wants money].
I think he’s ready to go in the studio and make some hits. He’s consistently
done it. He’s entertained us on every level. And all we want to do is give
him love and get him to where he got to go. Also I want to thank Mariah Carey
for coming out as a friend. [Crowd claps] She’s always there.
Mariah: I gotta be fresh to def.
DD: I’m proud to present the newest member
of The Roc. I have to do the official and give him a chain. [bestows ODB with
a gold Roc-A-Fella chain]
ODB: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…It’s like
I’m happy to be here, you know. It’s like…I don’t know man…I
thought I wasn’t gonna be able to touch another microphone or something. I’m
happy to see my mother right here. [Claps] I’m looking forward to a future
with Roc-A-Fella, you know what I’m saying? That’s my man Damon Dash
right there. He looked out for me. Shout out to Mariah Carey. She’s my
sweetheart. And my crew Brooklyn Zoo and the Wu Tang Clan because ya’ll
know how Wu Tang gets down. We gets down when we gets down. We go back to the
dinosaur days. You know G, just look for it, look for it.
Old Dirty, is it true that you just got out today?
ODB: Yeah, I just got out. They had me over there.
sh*t was wild. They had me in Clinton to Marcey Corrections. I went to Manhattan
State Corrections or something. They was trying to lock me in man because I
was running around being Dirt McGirt..they were like, ‘We don’t know
nothing about this young cat right here.’ I had to hit ‘em with a
couple Dirt McGirt wear and they let me go! [crowd explodes into laughter]
Is Ol’ Dirty going to be doing more songs
with Mariah Carey?
ODB: Absolutely. I wanna thank Damon Dash for
throwing the chain on me real quick. Its dirty. I like it. It pretty man.
Dirty, how did this union come together with
you and The Roc?
ODB: It just came, man. It just came. Some things
are just meant to be.
DD: Somebody special brought us together. Things
come from the most surprising places.
Who?
DD: That girl right there from VH-1. I was like
if I get with ODB, that would be all good. She made it happen very quick.
ODB, how are you feeling physically and mentally,
dog?
ODB: I’m alright physically and mentally
and I’m just…got the little crip with me. I feel good. I feel good.
How long were you in jail and now that you are
out, how do you feel?
ODB: I was incarcerated for like 2 years. Two
years and several months. It was hell out there and you know – so what.
I feel good. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy my eyes are open still.
What’s all the hype with the clothing line
you have coming out?
ODB: The hype with the clothing line? I don’t
know man. I’m just throw it in the streets and BOOM, you know what I’m
saying? [Laughter from crowds]
What do you think about the current state of
hip-hop?
ODB: The current state of hiphop? Since I been
gone, it got radical. It got crazy. Sitting up in the cell, watching my ni**gas
do their thing, its like – I don’t know man. They got it going on
man. I just want to jump in there like a swimming pool. [laughter]
What producers do you think you will be working
with?
ODB: Everybody hot. I’m looking forward
to my man 50 and I don’t know. Jay-Z. Ghostface. You know. Mariah Carey.
You know, I’m out right now, respect that. [Applause]
Two things – First, What’s Wu Tang’s
involvement in your next album gonna be and, number two, are you gonna tour
on the Roc Army Tour?
ODB: Yeah, I’m down with that. [group laughs]
DD: He is gonna be a involved in anything that
The Roc does and anything he can do, he’s gonna do. It’s all on him.
This is your thing.
And is Wu Tang gonna be involved production-wise?
DD: Anything he wants.
Do you think your time locked up will impact
your lyrics?
ODB: Yes. [Crowd laughs]
When you went to sign Ol’ Dirty, how much
did his past concern you?
DD: I’m not concerned at all. You can actually
see how much I am concerned. [Crowd laughs]
Is Roc-A-Films going to be apart of the movie
that tells the story of Ol’ Dirty’s life?
DD: Hell yeah. Its being shot right now. You
are actually in it. [crown laughs]
Are there going to be anymore sightings of Big
Baby Jesus?
ODB: You see him when you see him, man.
What was the first thing you wanted to do when
you got out?
ODB: Give my mother a hug. [a collective “Awwwwwwwwww…”
from the crowd]
How do you feel about Elektra Records?
ODB: Ain’t nothing but love.
[Female] What are you gonna do tonight?
ODB: I don’t know. I gotta stretch my body.
Get a massage or something. You looking pretty yourself. [Crowd explodes into
laughter]
