On November 27, 2000, musician and actor Russell Tyrone Jones, known by the stage name Ol’ Dirty Bastard, was arrested at the McDonald’s restaurant on Grays Ferry Avenue in South Philadelphia. Jones had escaped from custody in New York and was on the run for more than one month, generating intense speculation and news coverage regarding his whereabouts. Jones’ escape and time on the run made him a popular folk hero and his capture at the McDonalds was national news.

Jones was an intensely popular both as a solo artist and as a member of the seminal rap group the Wu Tang Clan. Jones was a platinum-selling solo artist and was twice nominated for a Grammy award. As a member of the Wu Tang Clan, he was a 6-times platinum artist and sold more than 7 million records in his career, and in 2004 his group the Wu Tang Clan was designated the best rap group in history.

Jones was instrumental on changing the modern face of music as a member of the Wu Tang Clan. Their debut record in 1992, Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers), has consistently been identified as one of the best hip-hop records ever produced. It spawned the careers of dozens of musicians and artists, and it’s success established Jones and the Wu Tang Clan as a creative and influential force on popular music. In addition to his work with the Wu Tang Clan he produced 3 solo records and recorded songs with many popular artists.