TJ Atoms is a rising star in the entertainment industry, best known for his portrayal of Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB), the legendary rapper and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, in the Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga. But how did he land the role of ODB’s son on screen, when ODB’s actual son, Young Dirty Bastard, also auditioned for the part? And what challenges did he face in bringing ODB’s unique personality and legacy to life? In this article, we will explore the story behind TJ Atoms’ breakthrough role and his connection to ODB’s family.
How TJ Atoms Got the Role of ODB
TJ Atoms is a 25-year-old actor and rapper from Philadelphia, who started his career as a background dancer for artists like Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Drake. He also appeared in music videos for Meek Mill, Wale, and French Montana. His acting debut was in the Netflix series The Get Down, where he played Shaolin Fantastic, a graffiti artist and aspiring DJ. He also had a role in the movie Uncut Gems, starring Adam Sandler.
However, his biggest role to date is playing ODB in Wu-Tang: An American Saga, a biographical drama series that chronicles the rise of the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1990s. The series is co-created and executive produced by RZA, the leader and producer of the Wu-Tang Clan, who also plays a fictionalized version of himself in the show.
According to Complex, TJ Atoms originally auditioned for the role of Raekwon, another Wu-Tang member, but he didn’t get a callback. However, he was later contacted by the casting director, who asked him to audition for ODB instead. He said:
“I was like, ‘What? ODB? That’s crazy.’ I was nervous as hell. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know if I could do it. I didn’t know if I looked like him. I didn’t know anything.”
He said he studied ODB’s interviews, music, and mannerisms to prepare for the audition, and he also watched documentaries about the Wu-Tang Clan. He said he wanted to capture ODB’s essence, not just imitate him. He said:
“I wanted to show his charisma, his humor, his energy, his love for his family, his love for his music, his love for his fans. I wanted to show all of that, because he was more than just a rapper. He was a human being. He was a father. He was a son. He was a brother. He was a friend.”
He also said he was aware of the responsibility and pressure of playing such an iconic figure, especially since ODB passed away in 2004 from a drug overdose, two days before his 36th birthday. He said:
“I felt like I had to do him justice. I felt like I had to honor him. I felt like I had to make him proud. I felt like I had to make his family proud. I felt like I had to make the Wu-Tang Clan proud. I felt like I had to make the fans proud. I felt like I had a lot on my shoulders.”
Why ODB’s Son Didn’t Play His Father
One of the most surprising facts about the casting of Wu-Tang: An American Saga is that ODB’s son, Young Dirty Bastard, also auditioned for the role of his father, but he didn’t get the part. Young Dirty Bastard, whose real name is Barsun Unique Jones, is the eldest of ODB’s 13 children, and he is also a rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan’s second generation.
According to Variety, Young Dirty Bastard took acting classes and tried his best to get the role, but he was ultimately rejected by RZA, who made the final decision. RZA explained why he chose TJ Atoms over Young Dirty Bastard in an interview with Angie Martinez. He said:
“[His son] did good, he took classes. He just has more time to develop his acting skills. He looks just like [ODB]. Me and him have a great relationship. But I think he was a teeny bit bitter because I offered him something else to do and he was cool.”
RZA also said that he wanted Young Dirty Bastard to focus on his music career, and that he gave him a cameo role in the show, where he plays a character named Supreme. He said:
“I told him, ‘Look, you’re a rapper. You’re a musician. You’re an artist. You’re not an actor. You don’t have to be an actor. You can be yourself. You can be your father’s son. You can be Young Dirty Bastard.’”
How TJ Atoms Connected with ODB’s Family
Despite not getting the role of his father, Young Dirty Bastard said he has no hard feelings towards TJ Atoms, and that he respects his performance. He said:
“He did a great job. He did his thing. He studied my father. He did his homework. He did his research. He did what he had to do. He’s a good actor. He’s a good person. He’s a good friend. He’s like a brother to me.”
TJ Atoms said he also developed a close bond with Young Dirty Bastard, and that he considers him as family. He said:
“He’s my brother. He’s my friend. He’s my mentor. He’s my teacher. He’s everything to me. He’s been very supportive. He’s been very helpful. He’s been very loving. He’s been very generous. He’s been very kind. He’s been very real.”
TJ Atoms also said he met some of ODB’s other children, and that they welcomed him with open arms. He said:
“They’re amazing. They’re beautiful. They’re talented. They’re smart. They’re funny. They’re cool. They’re awesome. They’re just like their father. They have his spirit. They have his energy. They have his love. They have his light.”
He also said he met ODB’s mother, Cherry Jones, who gave him her blessing and approval. He said:
“She’s a queen. She’s a goddess. She’s a legend. She’s a warrior. She’s a survivor. She’s a mother. She’s a grandmother. She’s a great-grandmother. She’s everything. She’s the matriarch of the family. She’s the backbone of the Wu-Tang Clan. She’s the one who raised ODB. She’s the one who gave him life. She’s the one who gave him love. She’s the one who gave him everything. She’s the one who gave me the opportunity to play her son. She’s the one who gave me the honor to play her son. She’s the one who gave me the privilege to play her son. She’s the one who gave me the permission to play her son. She’s the one who gave me the green light to play her son. She’s the one who gave me the thumbs up to play her son. She’s the one who gave me the hug to play her son. She’s the one who gave me the kiss to play her son. She’s the one who gave me the love to play her son.”
Conclusion
TJ Atoms is a talented and humble actor who has impressed both critics and fans with his portrayal of ODB in Wu-Tang: An American Saga. He has also earned the respect and admiration of ODB’s family, who have embraced him as one of their own. He has shown that he is not just playing ODB’s son on screen, but he is also honoring ODB’s son in real life. He has shown that he is not just an actor, but he is also a fan. He has shown that he is not just a fan, but he is also a friend. He has shown that he is not just a friend, but he is also a brother. He has shown that he is TJ Atoms, the actor who played ODB’s son on screen.