When was Afrika Bambaataa born and what is his real name?
Afrika Bambaataa was born on the 17th of April 1957 with the birth name Lance Taylor. He grew up in the Bronx River Projects during the 1960s and 1970s to Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants.
Questions about Afrika Bambaataa
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What did Afrika Bambaataa do after leaving the Black Spades gang?
Afrika Bambaataa formed the Universal Zulu Nation on the 12th of November 1977 as a peacekeeping alternative to street gangs. He organized block parties around the South Bronx starting that same year to build community out of creativity for outcast youths.
Which song by Afrika Bambaataa became a massive commercial hit worldwide in 1982?
Planet Rock released by Afrika Bambaataa in 1982 went to gold status and generated an entire school of electro-boogie rap and dance music. The track featured electronic sounds, drum machines, and futuristic synthesizers blended with traditional funk and hip-hop elements.
Why did Afrika Bambaataa receive a visiting scholar appointment at Cornell University?
Afrika Bambaataa received a three-year appointment as a visiting scholar at Cornell University on the 14th of August 2012 through collaboration between the university's Hip Hop Collection and its department of Music. His archives including vinyl collection, original audio and video recordings, manuscripts, books, and papers arrived in December 2013.
What happened to Afrika Bambaataa in May 2016 regarding sexual abuse allegations?
On the 6th of May 2016, Afrika Bambaataa resigned as head of the Universal Zulu Nation after multiple men accused him of sexual abuse. The organization disassociated itself from him during an organizational restructuring and issued an open letter apologizing to people alleging abuse.