This past week Rock The Bells announced their line-up for this year's festivities, and it includes a hologram performance from the late Eazy-E and Ol' Dirty Bastard. This follows in the footsteps of Coachella bringing Tupac back to life in 2012, which was highly debated at the time. Although it was just two days ago that we reported on how both Eazy-E and ODB's families approved of the upcoming post-humous performance, it seems ODB's widow, Icelene Jones, was not included among them. She has come forward expressing her disappointment in a press release today.
Icelene Jones is the adminstrator of Ol'Dirty Bastard's estate, and for that reason she says that she is the only one who can approve of a performance by the rapper's likeness. Icelene says that the estate has sole control of ODB's lyrics, performances and likeness. She claims in her statement that she was not contacted by Rock The Bells about their decision to have a holographic performance by ODB.
"I am disappointed that Rock the Bells would not contact me directly about the use of my husband’s image. I am looking forward to talking to Wu-Tang about this matter and coming up with a positive solution in order to bring my husband to the stage once again," Icelene said.
Ol' Dirty Bastard's wife issued a cease and desist leatter to Rock The Bells organizers.
[UPDATE: Icelene Jones has further explained her conflict with Rock The Bells, while Rock The Bells has released a brief statement.]
As we reported earlier today, the widow of ODB is none too happy about Rock The Bells using the late rapper's likeness for their upcoming show in September. Icelene has now explained to HipHopDX where her problems lie, and says that she would like to work something out with Rock The Bells, but she will take legal action if necessary.
Icelene already issued a cease & desist letter to the event organizers, which Rock The Bells has acknowledged in the following statement: "We are aware of the cease and desist order and will release a more in-depth statement next week. It’s our goal and desire to do this virtual performance the correct way; it’s important for all parties to feel right and good about this, so we are working on it."
Icelene told HHDX, "I’m the administrator [of ODB’s estate] and the only authority to give anyone permission to do anything like this—any likeness, any music. They need to come to me. I’m so available. I’m accessible. I’m easy to contact. I just want to make that understood. I’m a nice person. It’s just that people are doing things without my knowledge."
ODB's widow went on to say that she understands fans would like to see a virutal performance by the deceased rapper. "I know it’s something the fans would like," Icelene said. "I don’t want to stop anything like that. Bringing him back to life again—it would be a beautiful thing to give the fans what they want. I don’t want control or anything like that. Me and my children should be a part of it. If they really want to do it they really need to come to us and approach us respectfully."
Icelene goes on to point a finger at Cherry Jones, the mother of Ol' Dirty Bastard. She says that Cherry should have put Rock The Bells directly in touch with her. The two have been known to feud in the past, going to court in 2004 over the control of ODB's estate. "She should automatically let them know that [her] daughter-in-law in the is the administrator," Icelene said of Cherry Jones.
We'll have to wait and see what Icelene is able to work out with Rock The Bells, so stay tuned.
