The Return of Osirus by Ol' Dirty Bastard: A Chaotic Love Letter to Hip-Hop
Yo, if you’re a fan of raw, unfiltered hip-hop that feels like it was birthed in the chaos of a New York block party, then The Return of Osirus is something you need to hear. Released back in 2005, this posthumous album from ODB isn’t perfect—it’s messy, disjointed, and kinda all over the place—but damn, does it feel alive. Like ODB himself, it doesn’t follow no rules. It just is. And honestly? That’s what makes it unforgettable.
Now let me break it down for ya. First track I gotta shout out is “Brooklyn Zoo (Chops Remix).” Man, this one hits different. The original version was already iconic, but Chops flips it into some next-level madness. You got these hard-hitting drums, that grimy bassline, and ODB spitting bars like he's possessed. His flow switches up so much it’s wild—you never know whether he’s about to laugh, scream, or drop some deep wisdom on you. When he says, “I’m a animal, live in a jungle,” it’s not just a lyric; it’s a vibe. It’s like he’s reminding us he wasn’t just another rapper—he was a force of nature. This remix breathes new life into an old classic, and every time I listen, I’m transported straight to the streets of Brooklyn, feeling that gritty energy coursing through my veins.
Another standout has to be “Got Your Money (Lt. Dan Remix).” If you thought the original was fire, wait till you hear this. Lt. Dan takes the funky groove and cranks it up ten notches. The beat bounces harder, the scratches are sharper, and ODB sounds like he’s having the time of his life. There’s something about the way he delivers lines like, “Me and my Gs, we don’t play fair”—it’s cocky as hell, but also strangely endearing. He’s flexing, sure, but there’s humor in there too. Listening to this track feels like hanging with your craziest friend who’s always got some outrageous story to tell. It’s fun, unpredictable, and leaves you wanting more.
But here’s the thing about The Return of Osirus: it ain’t just an album. It’s a patchwork quilt stitched together from leftover pieces of ODB’s genius. Tracks like “Words of Wisdom From ODB” snippets remind you how sharp his mind was beneath all the chaos. Then you’ve got DJ interludes and remix after remix, which could feel repetitive, but instead they keep things fresh. It’s like flipping through a scrapbook of memories—some parts make you laugh, others hit you right in the chest.
What sticks with me most about this project is how human it feels. Yeah, ODB was larger than life, but listening to this album reminds you he was still figuring stuff out, just like the rest of us. He didn’t have everything figured out, and maybe that’s why his music resonates so deeply.
So yeah, The Return of Osirus might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re willing to embrace its flaws and let yourself get lost in its madness, you’ll find something real. Something raw. And isn’t that what hip-hop’s supposed to be about anyway?
Oh, and hey—one last thing. Listening to this album makes me wonder…what would ODB think of TikTok? Dude probably would’ve blown that app UP. Just saying.
