Ol’ Dirty Bastard, formerly of the Wu-Tang Clan, collapsed and died Saturday, Nov. 13 in a Manhattan recording studio.

The exact cause of death is unknown, but the rapper had been complaining of chest pains earlier in the day. An autopsy conducted Sunday was found inconclusive and the results from additional toxicology tests won’t be available for at least five to ten days.

The rapper, born Russell Jones, was on the verge of a comeback. He was working on his latest album when he collapsed at about 4:30 p.m. Paramedics were called and found the rapper on the floor in a living room area. He was pronounced dead at 5:04 p.m.

As the word hit the streets of New York, streets surrounding the studio quickly filled with fans of the rapper and members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon.

Jones was a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan and his contributions to the group helped solidify the group’s place in hip hop history. The Brooklyn born rapper offered hip hop fans humor, while still giving them a taste of the street life. After the group released its first album “36 Chambers,” Jones was shot.

After recuperating from the gunshot wound, Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut solo album titled “Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version.” This album included the smash hits “Brooklyn Zoo” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” The album was an instant success, but his life outside of music was not.

He was first arrested in 1997 for not paying a year’s worth of child support on three children that he fathered.

After several bouts with the law, O.D.B was shot in the stomach by another Brooklyn rapper in1994. In 1998, the rapper was shot in the back over what he said was to be a robbery attempt on his home.

The rapper ended up in jail in April 2001 and was released in 2003. After his release, O.D.B. hooked up with Roc-A-Fella Records, but never released an album, yet he released a clothing line called Dirty Wear.

Jones’ funeral will be held on Thursday, Nov. 18 at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn and Roc-A-Fella Records is planning a public memorial in Harlem for the deceased rapper.

O.D.B. will be remembered for his style on the microphone. He was very energetic and passionate about his music. He also was loved by other rappers.

He has collaborated with many stars such as Mariah Carey on the track titled “Fantasy” and introduced the world to Kelis with the smash hit “Got Your Money.” Although he had many run ins with law, O.D.B. will be remebered for his lucrative lyrics and outgoing personality. Not only did he have a wonderful presence on stage, he had a sense of humor that won the hearts of many fans. For more inormation visit www.rocafella.com.

• Julius McKinley