Ol' Dirty Bastard [ tickets ], who came to fame as much for his personal problems as his singular style and skill as a rapper, collapsed and died in a New York City recording studio on Saturday (11/13), two days short of his 36th birthday.

The founding member of Wu-Tang Clan, whose real name was Russell T. Jones, was found unconscious in the Manhattan studio at about 4:40 p.m. He reportedly had been complaining of chest pains earlier in the day; an autopsy will determine the cause of death.

Wu-Tang Clan broke through with its 1993 debut, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)," and proved to be among the most influential and enduring hip-hop acts of the '90s.

Like most of the other eight members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Jones also had success as a solo artist, scoring hit singles with "Got Your Money" and "Shimmy Shimmy Ya."

Jones, however, became better known for run-ins with the law--as well as for his unpredictable behavior.

The rapper fled a court-ordered drug treatment program in October of 2000--a term that stemmed from a 1999 drug possession arrest--and was captured a month later. While on the lam, he made a surprise appearance on stage during a Wu-Tang Clan concert in New York City.

After spending two years in prison and at a mental hospital, Jones emerged in 2003 with a new handle--Dirt McGirt--and a new recording contract with Roc-A-Fella Records. (At one point, Jones went by the name Big Baby Jesus.)

Besides various drug offenses, Jones' rap sheet--which dated back to at least 1987--also included menacing security officers, illegally possessing body armor, shoplifting, failure to pay child support and threatening a former girlfriend.

Jones was said to be the father of at least a dozen children, born to several different women.

"To the public he was known as Ol' Dirty Bastard, but to me he was known as Rusty," his mother, Cherry Jones, said in a statement. "The kindest, most generous soul on earth. Russell was more than a rapper, he was a loving father, brother, uncle, and most of all, son."

Said a statement issued by Dash: "Russell inspired all of us with his spirit, wit and tremendous heart. The world has lost a great talent, but we mourn the loss of our friend."

Jones was scheduled to appear at a Friday (8/12) concert at New Jersey's Continental Airlines Arena with the other eight members of Wu-Tang Clan, but he didn't show up for the gig. The show was to mark the full group's first concert together in five years.