RZA Compares DMX's Raw & Real Energy To Ol' Dirty Bastard

BY Erika Marie 1.7K Views
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RZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, DMX, Ebro Darden, Apple
The filmmaking Wu-Tang legend reflects on the first time he heard DMX on the radio & calls the late Rap icon "just pure."

There are few emcees that have brought authenticity like DMX, and Ol' Dirty Bastard was one of them. While they are two vastly different artists, they are both Rap icons who were never shamed into being silenced about the struggles in their journeys. What you saw was what you got, and it's unfortunate that we lost two of the most real, and talented, artists to ever pick up a mic.

RZA reflected on DMX's legacy during his recent conversation Ebro Darden on Apple Music. The filmmaking Wu-Tang icon spoke about his "though-provoking" film Nobody and the return of Wu-Tang: An American Saga's second season, but he took a moment to walk down memory lane with X and ODB.

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“The first time I heard him was on the radio, with ‘Where My Dawgs At?’ That was ripping through New York on HOT97…and I knew automatically that it was a real dude on the mic," said RZA. "I don’t like to compare artist to artist, but if I was to compare energy as far as realness and rawness, I’d have to compare him to ODB."

"It was real, it wasn’t fabricated, he continued. "When I had the chance to meet the brother, his spirit, his purity, it’s just pure. I just caught a spine tingle right there just thinking about his purity.” Rest in peace to ODB and DMX. Check out RZA and Ebro below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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