Zulu Nation Celebrates 38th Anniversary At Le Poisson Rouge

To recall Q-Tip’s line in “Buggin’ Out,” “Zulu Nation, brothers that’s creation/minds get flooded, ejaculation.” Aside from the witty punchline, the salute of loyalty from artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Rakim, KRS-ONE, Public Enemy and more is a gesture to everything the international awareness hip-hop group has achieved. Younger hip-hop heads may not be as enthused about the powerful movement Afrika Bambaataa has created, but Zulu Nation’s prevalence in the culture has reshaped what ‘real hip-hop’ is about.

Started in the 1970s under reformed gang members who wanted to organize cultural events involving dance and music for youths, Bambaataa’s leadership has taken Zulu Nation’s ideals of being socially and politically conscious to an ever growing movement. According to the Universal Zulu Nation website, the idea of abandoning belief systems in favor of factology at the turn of the last millennium is still a major effort to preserve hip-hop’s core values on an international level. To celebrate the 38^th anniversary of such an influential organization means more than just hosting a slew of DJs and artists who believe in their cause.

The birth of the Zulu Nation has evolved into many interpretations outside of New York. But the meaning across the world is the same: Unite as one, incorporate many elements of the emerging culture regardless of race or gender, and create a positive community in hip-hop.

(Maffew Ragazino flips the script, rapping to the stage)

The first celebration on Wednesday wasn’t its last. Tonight, the Zulu Nation Anniversary at Le Poisson Rouge returns for a second time, only adding more prominent names to the bill such as 9^th Wonder, Smith n’ Wessun and DJ Statik Selektah. But this doesn’t take away from its cast of Zulu followers from earlier this week. Intended for the diehard fans, its smaller audience was accommodated by performers putting on a show perfect for relaxing. Later in the evening, it picked up when the DJ span old school tracks for B-Boys and B-Girls to face off. Breakdancers also jumped into the circle, feeding off the energy of everyone.

Even at 2 AM, Bambaataa still hadn’t hit the stage, but left Tony Touch, DJ Mell Starr and Cuban Link to keep the celebration going. Maffew Ragazino, an unsigned artist from Brownsville, Brooklyn, was a standout from earlier because of his determination to get the crowd involved. A short set just enough to get into some tracks off Rhyme Pays, Ragazino’s “St. Matthews” provoked him to jump off the stage and into the dance floor. Spitting rhymes and directing them to fans, he left an impression that got many of the Zulu alumni head-nodding along.

For fans who are attending the second coming of the Zulu Nation Anniversary, be prepared for another addition of celebrating local dance and music movements. You can expect this historic moment to be just as entertaining and lighthearted as Wednesday night. Zulu Nation is keeping the old school new.

(A b-boy locks hands and take a spin under the lights)