Rolling Stone (No. 966, p.58) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[A] reminder of what made him great....ODB turns his manic yowl into a showcase of pure id..."
Uncut (p.96) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[A] mix-tape-style hodgepodge completed before his death...[It] provides glimpses of whiskey-slurred brilliance..."
Personnel: Ol' Dirty Bastard; Drag-On, Jae Millz, Rhymefest, Royal Flush, Baby Sham, Black Rob, Lenox Avenue Boys, Blah , Terra Blacks, Cappadonna, Cardan.
Osirus was just one of the many names claimed by Russell Jones, best known as Ol' Dirty Bastard, a rapper possessed of a delivery as explosive as his notorious persona. Although Dirty often bordered on a caricature of himself during his turbulent life, his skills as a supreme MC with unforgettable vocals and unpredictable flow initially earned him superstardom as both co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan and as a solo performer.
OSIRUS: THE OFFICIAL MIXTAPE marks the first ODB release following the artist's sudden death in November 2004. Finished a week before his life finally caught up to him, OSIRUS captures the glorious schizophrenia that defined Ol' Dirty. Throughout, he often reveals a restrained positive side, particularly on "Pop Shots," where he reflects over a quality DJ Premier beat, and on the funky "Out of Control" and the Run-DMC- and David Bowie-sampling "Run Dirty Run." OSIRUS, with its mix-tape jaggedness, its occasional guest stars (Ghostface, Inspectah Deck, etc.), and its ability to reveal a multifaceted artist, provides a fitting coda for a hip-hop soul that trouble knew too well.