Currently airing on Hulu is their latest drama series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, which centers on creation of hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan.
Inspired by the books The Wu-Tang Manual and its sequel Tao of Wu, both written by the group’s frontman RZA, the series will be set at the height of the crack epidemic in ’90s-era New York and follow the group’s formation from a group of young black men who grow out of a life of crime into one of the most successful musical groups in American history, having sold 40 million albums worldwide and releasing five gold and platinum albums.
The series stars Shameik Moore, Ashton Sanders, Erika Alexander, Julian Elijah Martinez, Siddiq Sanderson, Marcus Callender, Zolee Griggs, Vinnie Pastore, Dave East, Joey Bada$$, Johnell Young & TJ Atoms.
Co-created by RZA and Alex Tse (Superfly), the series will be executive produced by Brian Grazer at Imagine Entertainment.
The clan consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna and Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who died in 2004 due to a drug overdose.
Blackfilm.com spoke with TJ Atoms, who plays founding group member, Russell “Ason Unique” Jones, also widely known for his stage name, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (O.D.B.).
The Philadelphia native is also a skilled rapper and released his most recent single “Frat House” in January 2019 and his first EP “Atoms” in 2016. Among his TV credits are episodic roles in Blues Bloods, Orange Is The New Black, and The Godfather of Harlem.
How did the role come about for you?
TJ Atoms: I went in originally for the character of Sha Rader, who is Raekwon, and I think I did pretty good but I’m no Raekwon. So, they called me back in for Ol’ Dirty Bastard and at first I didn’t know if I could play that role. I went in and it took three months after several auditions, but eventually I got it.
Growing up, did you know a lot about the Wu Tang Clan? How much did you know about O.D.B.? Did you have to really work hard to sound like him?
TJ Atoms: I knew a lot about the Wu-Tang Clan. I was a fan but I couldn’t name every single song, I knew everyone’s name. I had to practice a lot to be Ol’ Dirty Bastard . I watched a lot of his videos and how he sounded and moved. I was trained on set to sound like him. They put the teeth grills on me and worked with me on how to rap with them.
Did you talk to O.D.B.’s family to get a better sense of who he was?
TJ Atoms: Yes. I talked to his mom. I talked to his ex-manager. I talked to his daughter. I talked to a lot of people to get some information on how he really was, on and off camera. I did a lot of research.
Are we seeing his story on the series or is it fictionalized?
TJ Atoms: This is the real deal.
How was working with the rest of the cast?
TJ Atoms: The cast is like family. I love those guys. Ashton, Shamiek, Zoey and all of them.
Why do you think the Wu-Tang Clan story needs to be told?
TJ Atoms: It definitely needs to be told because it shows the past and journey of an American dream, an American story. How a restricted area came up from nothing and these guys believed in themselves and came together as a group. They made a legacy to past down to kids. This is a legacy for not only Americans, but for all. It’s a story on top of another story.
What part of O.D.B. is you?
TJ Atoms: For real, we have certain moments we want to say whatever we want to say at anytime and that’s what O.D.B. was about. I have this charming, charismatic quality and a lot of humor and he had that.
From the list of projects you’ve done recently, what have you been learning as you continue to grow as an actor?
TJ Atoms: All of these roles are different. My other roles definitely taught me how to be a professional actor, but nothing can prepare me to play O.D.B..
As people will start recognize you from the series, what keeps you humble? Anything else coming up for you?
TJ Atoms: I love my games. I play PS4. I stay in my cribs a lot. I read a lot of books. I practice manifestation and my relationship with God. Things like that. I’m a super regular person. I have a music EP coming out in a few weeks. I just released my single called ‘Stay Down.’ I just a film produced by Lena Waithe called the The 40 Year-Old Version. That’s going to be hilarious
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