Lizairo taking you back to … Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is one of the godfathers of Hip Hop and the creator of the Zulu Nation.
He was born in 1960 and grew up in the Bronx. Bambaataa was the leader of the most violent gang of the Bronx “The Black Spades”. His views on violence and gangs changed when he won a trip to Africa and saw the movie “Zulu”. During his trip to Africa he was inspired by the communities who encouraged him to stop the violence and create a community in his own neighberhood. He changed his name to “Afrika Bambaataa Aasim” (inspired by the Zulu chief Bhambatha).
He started to host hip hop parties inpsired by DJ Kool Herc and Kool Dj Dee and drew kids out of the gangs and formed the Universal Zulu Nation, officialy ‘born’ on 12th november 1973. He is credited with the name “hip hop”, originally a phrase used by MC’s as a part of a scat inspired style of rhyming. He believed in the values of hip hop and those were based on peace, unity, love and having fun. There were also the four elements of hip hop : DJ’ing, lyricism and poetry, the dancing and the grafitti art.
In 1982 he went on the first international hip hop tour, wich he believed would be the key to expand hip hop and the
Universal Zulu Nation. Many artists and gang members said that “hip hop saved a lot of lives”. His influence reached all the way to France and inspired artists such as MC Solaar. Bambaataa was a famous DJ in the South Bronx and created 2 groups :
the Jazzy 5 ( MC Master Ice, Mr Freeze,
Master Bee, Master D.E.E. and A J Les) and the Soulsonic Force (Biggs, Pow Wow and MC G.L.O.B.E.) With one of their big hits: << Planet Rock >> . Later in 1983 they released the hits ‘ Looking for the perfect beat” and “Renegades of Funk”
In 1984 the “godfather of hip hop” met the “godfather of soul” James Brown! They made a hit “Unity”.
He’s still doing hip hop tours and bringing the Zulu around the globe. This Sunday the 26th of September the Zulu spirit came to Strictly Nicesness and there I saw him for the first time. It was around midnight , standing next to the dj booth in the smell of incense .. Afrikaa Bambaataa hitting the decks with Mc Kamonzi and DJ Haktek, also defi J was spinnin the tracks and the pre-party with DJ Le Saint . And off course the b boys were at the place to.
… And don’t forget, May 3rd is Rap Music day and 12th november Zulu day !!!
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