SEGA Teams Up with Young Dirty Bastard for Dirty Magic x SHINOBI Collab

SEGA is bringing the heat by joining forces with Dirty Magic, the upcoming apparel brand from Young Dirty Bastard (YDB), the son of the legendary Ol’ Dirty Bastard and part of the Wu-Tang Legacy. This new partnership centers around one of SEGA’s most iconic franchises, SHINOBI, blending the worlds of hip-hop and gaming in a way that feels perfectly natural.

This newly formed collab kicks off with a new Dirty Magic x SHINOBI merch line, featuring limited-edition apparel including t-shirts, hoodies, and more. The gear is inspired by the legendary ninja series and the upcoming game SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, a reimaging of the 2D action platformer that’s already getting plenty of hype, and from my hands-on with the game, well deserved. The collection is available starting today, Friday, June 20, exclusively at Hot Topic, and only for a limited time, so if you want to rock some ninja drip, now’s your shot.

But it doesn’t stop there. YDB is also releasing a new original track titled “The Path Just Begun”, created to celebrate the SHINOBI legacy. The song is scheduled to be released later this summer and will be available on major streaming platforms. It’s a raw, energized tribute to a franchise that helped define a generation of SEGA gamers.

Now, if the idea of mixing hip-hop and video games sounds new to you, it really shouldn’t. This kind of crossover has been around for decades. Just like Allen Iverson brought hip-hop culture into the NBA and changed the game, artists have been bringing that same energy to gaming. With games such as Parappa the Rapper, Def Jam: Fight For NY, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, NBA Street, just to name a few. Arcade beats to full-on music collabs, the connection runs deep, and this partnership is just the latest example of that.

As for SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, we played it during Summer Game Fest 2025, and let me tell you, this game is going to impress a lot of people, both newcomers to the name and long-time fans. It’s everything you want in a modern revival. Classic 2D action with tight controls, stylish visuals, and a vibe that respects the original while giving it a serious upgrade. SEGA didn’t just dust off an old name—they’ve brought SHINOBI back with purpose.