ODB’s Paternity Woes

ODB, real name Russell Jones, died Saturday after collapsing at a New York recording studio. No official cause of death will be announced until the toxicology and tissue-sample tests return in about 10 days. It has been widely speculated that the rapper, who had a history of drug abuse, had been doing cocaine for two days prior to his death. He reportedly was "very paranoid" and complained of chest pains before he collapsed. He would have celebrated his 36^th birthday on Monday.

Jones, who was also known as Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Big Baby Jesus, and Dirt McGirt, has reportedly fathered more than a dozen children with a number of different mothers over the years, but his wife of the past thirteen years denies these reports. Icelene Jones said, "For the record, he only has three children. Nothing else was ever proven. There were never any blood tests or his signing any birth certificates. He has three children that we know that are his by his wife – by me." She also said, "People will try to sue me. They can’t sue him anymore." Jones said a wake and private funeral would be held Thursday for her husband. Roc-A-Fella Records, ODB’s label, is planning a public memorial for the rapper in Harlem.

Apparently, Jones did not leave a will and his wife is preparing for the fallout from ODB’s death and seeing who comes out of the woodwork looking for money. Jones said she has never believed reports that her husband fathered children out of wedlock and is ready to fight anyone who tries to cash in on ODB’s estate. Nothing like a funeral to bring the money hungry together.