Afrika Bambaataa

Afrika Bambaataa (born April 10 or October 4, 1957 or 1960, though his birthdate is hotly debated; he himself refuses to comment on his age) is a DJ and community leader from the South Bronx, who in the late 1970s, was instrumental in the early development of hip hop.

Related Topics:
April 10 - October 4 - 1957 - 1960 - Bronx - Hip hop

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Afrika Bambaataa's birthname has been mistakenly listed as Kevin Donovan; however, Kevin Donovan was actually another man and leader of the Harlem Underground Band.

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During Bambaataa's early years, he was a founding member of the Bronxdale Projects-area street gang, The Savage Seven. Due to the explosive growth of the gang, it later became known as the Black Spades, and Donovan rose to the position of Division Leader. After a life-changing visit to Africa, he changed his name to Afrika Bambaataa Aasim. Bambaataa was influenced by the bravery of the Zulu warriors resisting British troops in the Michael Caine film Zulu. He took his name, which roughly translated to "affectionate leader", from the film.

Related Topics:
Zulu - Zulu

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After the visit, Bambaataa decided to use his leadership to turn those involved in the gang life into something more positive to the community. This began the development of The Organization, which soon later became known as the Zulu Nation, a group of racially and politically aware rappers, B-boys, graffiti artists and other people involved in hip hop culture that gained fame in the early eighties to mid nineties. By 1977, inspired by DJ Kool Herc, Bambaataa had begun organizing block parties all around the South Bronx, and he was soon renowned as one of the best DJs in the business. In 1980, he produced Soul Sonic Force's landmark single, "Zulu Nation Throwdown". In 2000 Rage Against The Machine covered Afrika's song Renegades of Funk for their album "Renegades".

Related Topics:
The Organization - Zulu Nation - Graffiti - 1977 - Kool Herc - 1980 - Soul Sonic Force - Zulu Nation Throwdown - Rage Against The Machine

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In 1982, Bambaataa organised the very first European hip hop tour. Along with himself were rapper and graf artist Rammellzee, Zulu Nation DJ Grand Mixer DST, B-boy and B-girl crews the Rock Steady Crew, and the Double Dutch Girls, as well as legendary graffiti artists Fab 5 Freddy, Phase 2, Futura 2000, and Dondi.

Related Topics:
1982 - Rammellzee - Grand Mixer DST - Rock Steady Crew - Fab 5 Freddy - Phase 2 - Futura 2000 - Dondi

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Also in 1982, Bambaataa became a solo artist (having produced several other singles) and released "Jazzy Sensation" on Tommy Boy Records in that year. "Planet Rock", a popular single, came out that June. The song melded electronic hip hop beats with the main melody from Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express, as well as portions from records by Ennio Morricone and Captain Sky - thus creating a new style of music altogether, electro funk. It influenced many styles of electronic and dance music, e.g. house music and techno music. In 1984, Bambaataa recorded "Unity" with James Brown and released "World Destruction" under the name Time Zone (with John Lydon). Shango Funk Theology, a full length album, came out under the name Shango. This was followed by "Funk You" in 1985 and then his formal full album debut, Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere).

Related Topics:
Jazzy Sensation - Tommy Boy Records - Planet Rock - Kraftwerk - Trans-Europe Express - Ennio Morricone - Captain Sky - Electro funk - 1984 - Unity - James Brown - World Destruction - Time Zone - John Lydon - Shango Funk Theology - Funk You - 1985 - Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere)

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Bambaataa then left Tommy Boy and signed with Capitol Records, released The Light (as Afrika Bambaataa & the Family), which included aid from George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Boy George and UB40. was released in 1991. It included both hip house tracks that were produced by the Italian team De Point (most of those have been collected on ZYX record's "The 12" Mixes" Compilation) as well as hip hop and electro funk tracks. On "Warlocks and Witches", Bam (as his name is often abbreviated) focused on hip hop. From the mid-1990s, Bam returned to his electro roots, collaborating with Westbam (who was named after him) and culminating in 2004's excellent album "Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light" which featured Gary Numan and many others.

Related Topics:
Capitol Records - The Light - George Clinton - Bootsy Collins - Boy George - UB40 - 1991 - Hip house - Westbam - Gary Numan

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