OL’ DIRTY Bastard made his solo debut 25 years ago with the Grammy^® nominated album, Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. An instant hip-hop classic, it peaked at number two on the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart and crossed over to reach number seven on the Billboard 200.

The album quickly earned gold-certification and would introduce fans to two of ODB’s biggest hits: “Brooklyn Zoo” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.”

In celebration of it’s 25th anniversary, the album has now been certified platinum by the RIAA and will be celebrated with two new special editions from Rhino.

The first represents one of the most-expansive hip-hop reissues in history, The Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (25th Anniversary Digital Deluxe Edition).

This digital-exclusive will be available for streaming and download on March 27, a day before the album’s original release date in 1995.

This 43-track reissue features a newly remastered version of the original album along with music from the era that has never been available digitally, including EP tracks, rare instrumentals and promo-only releases. Among the highlights are the digital debuts of “Ol’ Dirty’s Back,” “Don’t You Know, Part II,” and the “Brooklyn Zoo” b-side, “Give It To Ya Raw” (SD50 Remix).

The 25th Anniversary Digital Deluxe Edition also features the debut of two previously unreleased tracks: “Brooklyn Zoo (Stripped Version)” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya (Stripped Version).”

Both songs have been stripped back to their essentials musically, which puts the focus on the lyrics and highlight how great a storyteller ODB was. “Brooklyn Zoo (Stripped Version)” is available now on digital download and streaming services. Click here to listen now. 

A second-anniversary collection will be released on April 18 for Record Store Day.

Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (25th Anniversary Digital Deluxe Edition) is a vinyl boxed set that features all 17 songs from the original album on nine seven-inch singles pressed on blue, yellow, and white vinyl. Limited to 3,000 individually numbered copies worldwide.

ODB was a founding member of the influential hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Their 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made. 

ODB released Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version two years after Wu-Tang Clan’s debut. Several members from the group made special appearances on ODB’s album, including RZA, Raekwon, Method Man, Masta Killa, and Ghostface Killah. RZA produced most of the album, with additional production from ODB, True Master, and 4th Disciple.

“Ol’ Dirty Bastard is a real-life legend. We at the Estate are honored and excited to celebrate ODB’s 25th anniversary of his solo career. He was such a talented musician, and a larger-than-life icon who has inspired music fans across the globe,” said Nicole Beckett, Creative Director at Four Screens Management, Estate of ODB.

“His lasting influence has had a profound influence on both music and hip hop culture. We are thrilled to be working with Rhino to further his legacy.”