Segment Information - Reconciliation of Och-Ziff Funds Economic Income to Net Income Allocated to Class A Shareholders (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Loss Attributable to Class A Shareholders—GAAP	$ (7,164)	$ (69,356)
Change in redemption value of Preferred Units	(2,853)	0
Net Loss Attributable to Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC—GAAP	(4,311)	(69,356)
Income taxes	12,056	18,539
Changes in tax receivable agreement liability	0	(145)
Depreciation and amortization	4,212	3,402
Material Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to the Och-Ziff Operating Group A Units	9,635	(88,019)
Equity-based compensation, net of RSUs settled in cash	18,478	18,542
Income taxes	12,056	18,539
Allocations to Och-Ziff Operating Group D Units	3,360	875
Adjustment for expenses related to compensation and profit-sharing arrangements based on fund investment performance	1,979	1,264
Changes in tax receivable agreement liability	0	(145)
Depreciation and amortization	4,212	3,402
Other adjustments	(1,011)	(431)
Other Operations	(952)	(4,610)
Operating Segments | Och-Ziff Funds Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Economic Income - Och-Ziff Funds Segment	$ 43,446	$ (119,939)