Ol’ Dirty Bastard (real name: Russell Tyrone Jones), who passed away in 2004, was a key figure in Wu-Tang Clan, the Staten Island group that redefined hip-hop in the early 1990s.

He released his debut solo album, Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, in March 1995 and it is now getting the 25th anniversary reissue treatment. Rhino has pulled together an expanded edition of the album which runs to 43 tracks and includes a remastered version of the original release as well as rarities and previously unheard tracks.

On top of this, Amazon has created the Unique: Return To The 36 Chambers 25 Years Later mini-documentary. It draws on previously unseen footage of the late rapper as well as interviews with key players in his life and musical career such as Wu-Tang Clan members RZA and Raekwon, ODB’s widow (Icelene Jones), his son (Barsun Unique Jones) and Wu-Tang’s business manager (Mitchell “Divine” Diggs).

It is only 17 minutes in length but manages to pack a lot in. Rather than be exclusive to Amazon, however, it is available on YouTube (with light Amazon Music branding in the bottom right hand corner of the screen). It is also hosted on the Amazon Music YouTube channel. They did miss a trick, however, by not calling it WuTube.

It is interesting that this is being shared on a non-Amazon platform at a time when all the big subscription video services are trying to nail down exclusive content. Perhaps it will eventually go onto Amazon Prime or a full length documentary will follow and it turns out that this is really only a glorified trailer for it. Given the access they got to people from ODB’s personal life and career, it would be a shame if 17 minutes of material was all there was to it.