Afrika Bambaataa
Lance Taylor grew up in the Bronx River Projects during the 1960s and 1970s. He was born on the 17th of April 1957 to Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants. His mother and uncle were activists who debated conflicting ideologies within the black liberation movement. Young Lance witnessed these arguments while listening to his mother's eclectic record collection. Gangs eventually became the law in his neighborhood. They cleared drug dealers from their turf and assisted with community health programs. Taylor joined the Black Spades gang and quickly rose to become a warlord. As a warlord, he built ranks and expanded the territory of the young Spades. The group became the largest gang in the city by both membership and turf size. A trip to Africa changed his worldview after he won an essay contest. He had seen the movie Zulu and admired the solidarity shown by the Zulu people. During his travels, communities inspired him to create one in his own neighborhood. He adopted the name Afrika Bambaataa Aasim, taking it from Zulu chief Bhambatha. This leader fought against unfair economic practices in early 20th-century South Africa. Taylor told people that his new name meant affectionate leader in Zulu.
In the 12th of November 1977, Bambaataa formed what became known as the Universal Zulu Nation. He organized block parties all around the South Bronx starting in 1977. Disco King Mario loaned him his first equipment for these events. He faced his longtime friend Disco King Mario in a DJ battle at the Bronx River Houses Community Center. Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, and Cowboy accompanied him during performances. His prior status in the Black Spades gave him an established army party crowd drawn from former members. Five break dancers joined him and he called them the Zulu Kings. Later groups included the Zulu Queens and the Shaka Zulu Kings and Queens. DJs, rappers, b-boys, b-girls, graffiti writers, and artists followed him into the organization. Hip hop culture spread through house parties, block parties, gym dances, and mix tapes. The group served as a peacekeeping alternative to street gangs. Many artists and gang members later stated that hip hop saved many lives. The movement aimed to build a community out of creativity for outcast youths with an authentic worldview.
Bambaataa began playing authentically electronic music in 1982 with EBN-OZN's AEIOU Sometimes Y. This track was the first commercially released American single made on a computer using a Fairlight CMI. He realized the potential for technological advancement after being inspired by Kraftwerk. That same year, Bambaataa released his breakthrough electro-funk track Planet Rock. The song featured Bambaataa, producer Arthur Baker, and the Soulsonic Force. It blended electronic sounds, drum machines, and futuristic synthesizers with traditional funk and hip-hop elements. A synth hook from Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express appeared alongside electronic drum patterns from their Numbers track. The iconic line party people can you feel it? became a massive commercial hit worldwide. The song went to gold status and generated an entire school of electro-boogie rap and dance music. In 1982, he debuted at The Roxy with a test cassette of the groundbreaking white rap/spoken word single. By then, Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force stopped performing with a live band. They began to use only technology on stage. He credited the pioneering Japanese electropop group Yellow Magic Orchestra as another inspiration.
In 1982, Bambaataa and his followers traveled outside the United States on the first hip hop tour. The group included dancers, artists, and DJs who accompanied him abroad. He saw that these tours would be key to expanding hip hop globally. The mission promoted values based on peace, unity, love, and having fun. Bambaataa was booked on the first ever European hip hop tour presented by Europe One and Fnac France. Rammellzee, Grand Mixer DXT, Rock Steady Crew, Double Dutch Girls, Fab 5 Freddy, PHASE 2, Futura 2000, and Dondi joined the delegation. Around October 1985, he worked on the anti-apartheid album Sun City with Little Steven Van Zandt. Other participants included Joey Ramone, Run-D.M.C., Lou Reed, and U2. In 1990, Gee Street Records organized a concert at Wembley Stadium in London for the African National Congress. The event honored Nelson Mandela's release from prison. It brought together British and American rappers while introducing Nelson and Winnie Mandela to hip hop audiences. A recording titled Ndodemnyama helped raise approximately $30,000 for the ANC. In March 1989, Stop the Violence Movement recorded Self Destruction which hit number one on the Hot Rap Singles Chart. That single went gold and raised $400,000 for community anti-violence education programs.
On the 14th of August 2012, Bambaataa received a three-year appointment as a visiting scholar at Cornell University. This appointment came through collaboration between Cornell University Library's Hip Hop Collection and the university's department of Music. His archives including vinyl collection, original audio and video recordings, manuscripts, books, and papers arrived in December 2013. The Hip Hop Collection is the largest collection of historical hip hop music in North America. He opened the Afrika Bambaataa Master of Records Vinyl Archive at Cornell University. In 1990, Life magazine named him one of the Most Important Americans of the 20th Century. On the 27th of September 2007, he was announced as one of nine nominees for the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions. He made a surprise appearance performing at the First Annual Tribute Fit For the King of King Records in Covington, Kentucky on the 22nd of December 2007. He served as a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
In April 2016, Bronx political activist Ronald Bee-Stinger Savage accused Bambaataa of molesting him in 1980. Savage was fifteen years old when the alleged incident occurred. Three more men subsequently accused Bambaataa of sexual abuse. Bambaataa issued a statement to Rolling Stone denying all allegations. In early May 2016, the Universal Zulu Nation disassociated itself from him during an organizational restructuring. The group removed all accused parties and those accused of covering up current allegations from their roles. On May 6, Bambaataa resigned as head of the Universal Zulu Nation. A month later, the organization issued an open letter apologizing to people alleging abuse. Nearly three dozen members signed the letter including leaders from New Zealand. Vice published an investigative article titled Afrika Bambaataa Allegedly Molested Young Men For Decades in October 2016. The article stated accusers claimed these accounts were common knowledge since the early 1980s. No charges were brought against Afrika Bambaataa regarding these claims. In October 2021, he was sued by an anonymous man who alleged repeated abuse between 1991 and 1995. That person also claimed trafficking to other adult men while he was a minor.
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Common questions
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.
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.