Afrika Bambaataa Is Removed From Zulu Nation

Last Friday the Universal Zulu Nation indicated there has been some expansive changes to their leadership due to the recent allegations of sexual assault against Afrika Bambaataa. Only a month ago did the story surface about one of the fore-founders of hip-hop. Anyone who is into hip-hop should know or at least heard of Bambaataa. If not it’s time to do some homework( a quick start would be his 1999 single Planet Rock) . Bambaataa is one of the greats, and without his early DJ influence, hip-hop would not be anything that it is today. Hearing this information is kind of like a kick to the gut for those who grew up to him as an influence in music and culture alike.

Zulu Nation’s anti violence stance in hip-hop’s culture has always been admirable. It is also understandable that the Nation has gone to new lengths to remove any bad publicity or media that would discredit their policy in the eyes of the public. However, an allegation is simply  an accusation, especially since the happenings that are being looked into are over 20 years old. By saying this, this is not be taken as a pass on sexual assault. But maybe instead of accusing and making changes, the truth should be revealed first. In Rolling Stone, Bambaataa’s lawyer was quoted saying this:

“The real tragedy is that this has drawn attention away from real victims who are abused every day in our country. There was never a pursuit for any kind of justice in this and it stinks all the way around. The agendas of those involved are quite clear, Zulu Nation will continue to do the great work that they do and Bambaataa will continue to work tirelessly combatting all forms of violence and giving a voice to those real victims of violence in communities across the nation of who many in the media seems to have forgotten about.”

There seems to be a lot swirling around the media about sexual abuse. Our society has grown in its stance against the violence against women, and children alike.  However, it seems that the occurrences that include an influential black male get more media attention then others. As more people, including an alleged victim, Ronald Savage come forward to testify against Bambaataa, it is hard to turn the blind eye to the situation. All one can hope is that justice is served whether to the accused or accuser. Bambaataa my n***a I hate it had to be him!

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The Zulu Nation Star is under intense scrutiny

Last month the community of hip-hop was turned upside down on his head when claims of sexual abuse were made against Zulu Nation creator and music industry pioneer, Afrika Bambaataa. Former New York State Democratic Committee and Zulu Nation member, Ronald Savage, pointed the finger at the South Bronx emcee in his book Impulse, Urges and Fantasies with claims of abuse with oral sex. This blindsided the culture and had everybody split in their opinions on the situation. Defenders of the 59-year-old “Planet Rock” rapper cited a lack of evidence and credibility as their reasoning for disbelief. Their arguments took a huge blow on Sunday when three more men: Hassan Campbell and two who chose to be anonymous, all made similar claims to Savage by accusing Bambaataa of oral sexual abuse towards them.

Former Zulu affiliate Hassan Campbell says Bambaataa was “Like a father figure to me”

Campbell told the NY Daily News:

“He had the most fun house in the world, there were celebrities there, musicians, neighborhood heroes. It was the best place to be – and the worst place to be.”

Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation have since adamantly denied the accusations; combating the claims by saying this is all apart of a governmental conspiracy towards Bambaataa and that Campbell is “both a liar and a government informant.” It should be noted that Savage, the original accuser, was a member of the Democratic Committee in New York in recent years and has publicly supported the push for the stature of limitations to be taken off sex abuse cases. Campbell, who is now 39 years old and was 13 during the accused time of attacks, posted an angry video towards Bambaataa several months ago, making these same claims. He decided to ditch the video when the nation and his accused abuser agreed to meet with him and discuss the situation. Campbell claims that not only did they admit fault but Bambaataa stated he would step down as the head of the Zulu Nation and that he would seek counseling. None of those claims ever came to fruition.

“He never did any of those things,” Campbell said. “He’s a manipulator and a liar. He’s just waiting for this chaos to blow over so he can go back to his dark, dingy hole and go back to his old ways. He needs to put down the candy and let the little boys go.”Although the Nation has attempted to blow the whistle on a potential conspiracy, those that have defended Bambaataa, are starting to be swayed. 

Although the Zulu Nation attempted to blow the whistle on a potential conspiracy against the revered emcee, many in hip-hop are starting to be swayed with the recent discoveries and new accusers. With more details and actions sure to follow, this story is sadly, far from over.

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Over the weekend, Afrika Bambaataa was accused by former Zulu Nation member, Ronald “Bee-Stinger” Savage, of sexually abusing him. Bambaataa didn’t immediately respond to the allegations but he has now released a statement to Rolling Stone:

“I, Afrika Bambaataa, want to take this opportunity at the advice of my legal counsel to personally deny any and all allegations of any type of sexual molestation of anyone. These allegations are baseless and are a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in hip-hop at this time. This negligent attack on my character will not stop me from continuing my battle and standing up against the violence in our communities, the violence in the nation and the violence worldwide.”

Savage released his book, Impulse, Urges and Fantasies (Life Is a Bag of Mixed Emotions): The True Untold Story of Pioneer Hip Hop Artist Liaison Bee-Stinger, with information about the allegations. And then afterwards did an interview with The Daily News and discussed the sexual abuse:

“I want him to know how much he damaged me growing up,” says Savage. “I was just a child,” he told the Daily News. “Why did he take my innocence away? Why did he do this to me?”

Savage has stated that he doesn’t want any money out of this. He wants to help change the statue of limitation laws by telling his own story.

We will keep you all posted as this story continues to develop.

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Hip hop culture influencer Afrika Bambaataa, widely known for his classic “Planet Rock” track, sat down with VladTV to discuss the cultural force known as Zulu Nation, which he formed back in 1977. During the quick 5 minute sit-down, he discusses the desire to make Zulu Nation a “United Nation of the streets,” Lil’ Wayne’s involvement with the group and prominent members such as Ice-T, Ice Cube, Immortal Technique and Tupac. This led to a discussion of how the untimely deaths of Tupac and Biggie could have been avoided through unity and bi-coastal love. Check it out below.

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Music fans everywhere should mark their calendars (or put it in their phone) for 5.30.15 as The Roots Picnic celebrates it’s 8th anniversary at Festival Pier in Philadelphia. The festival offers a star-studded list of performers including The Roots, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Erykah Badu, DJ Mustard, Raury, plus others. Visit ROOTSPICNIC.COM for the full line-up, VIP Tickets, videos, and more. Tickets go on sale Friday, 3.15 at Noon.

Click HERE for tickets

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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)

Photography by Far Fetched Future

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They say the devil is in the details. For DJ Afrika Bambaataa, the devil is hard at work in the lack of them.

“Hip-hop has been hijacked by a Luciferian conspiracy,” he says, quite matter-of-factly. “People have used hip-hop in a lot of ways that cause a lot of mind problems. They use the word wrongfully. They use it to mean a part instead of a whole. Like many of these [radio] stations say they’re hip-hop, they’re playing hip-hop. I go to these stations, and these so-called program directors don’t know jack crap about hip-hop culture. They know rap to a certain extent. But I question them. I say, ‘Where’s your go-go, your hip-house, your electro-funk, your raga, your R&B and soul?’ They get real quiet.”

As the man often credited with inventing the term “hip-hop,” Bambaataa has the right to quibble over its application.

—Chicago Sun-Times, Jan. 23

Talib Kweli admits that he doesn’t drink a lot of soda, and that he knows “very, very little” about professional football. But when the Brooklyn rapper was approached to star in a TV spot for Pepsi Max’s NFL playoffs campaign, Kweli saw an opportunity to bolster awareness around his self-released fifth album, “Gutter Rainbows,” which was digitally released today (Jan. 25).

“There’s a segment of my fan base that wants to believe that I’m in some basement somewhere with a notebook, with a backpack on, writing rhymes to Eminem instrumentals or something,” says Kweli. “So the idea that at this point [is that] I’m 35 years old and there’s no music business, and I have grown man responsibilities, so of course I’m going to get paid for my craft. And I’m going to work with companies that are willing to support the lifestyle.”

“There’s a generation growing up that doesn’t understand that music is paid, but just because you get it for free doesn’t mean that someone’s not paying for it,” says Kweli. “Someone’s still got to pay for it. So you’ve got to figure, ‘Well, how is this person going to pay for it?’ You’ve got to maybe loosen your idea of what selling out is, when you’re not participating in supporting the culture.”

—Billboard, Jan. 25

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