Afrika Bambaataa is a DJ and community leader from the South Bronx, who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1970s. Like many of the early pioneers in Hip-Hop, he is of West Indian descent. On September 27, 2007, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Download high resolution version (1050x1152, 112 KB)Brions map of Africa with German names. ... is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... This article is about the state. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Hip hop is a cultural movement that began amongst urban African American youth in New York and has since spread around the world. ... Electro, short for electro funk (also known as robot hip hop and Electro hop) is an electronic style of hip hop directly influenced by Kraftwerk and funk records (unlike earlier rap records which were closer to disco). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other meanings of DJ, see DJ (disambiguation). ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... Harry Belafonte singing, photograph by C. van Vechten Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with speech. ... For other meanings of DJ, see DJ (disambiguation). ... // January 9 - Mick Jaggers request for a Japanese visa is rejected on account of a 1969 drug bust, putting an abrupt end to The Rolling Stones plans to tour Asia. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Tommy Boy Records is a record label started in 1981 by Tom Silverman after borrowing $5000 from his parents. ... For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Arthur Baker (born April 22, 1955, Boston, Massachusetts[1]) is an American record producer and DJ best known for his work with hip hop artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Planet Patrol and the British group New Order. ... John Joseph Lydon (born January 31, 1956), also known as Johnny Rotten, is an English rock musician. ... For other meanings of DJ, see DJ (disambiguation). ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at sunset. ...

History

During a time in New York City where gang life was 5 times as populated as the city's police department, Hip Hop culture was emerging in an attempt to stop the violence. Bambaataa was a founding member of the Bronx River Projects-area street gang, The Savage Seven. Due to the explosive growth of the gang, it later became known as the Black Spades, and he 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 courage and strategic brilliance of Shaka Zulu seen in the movie and TV series "Shaka Zulu". A gang is a group of individuals who share a common identity and, in current usage, engage in illegal activities. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

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 which soon later became known as the Universal Zulu Nation, a group of socially & politically aware rappers, B-boys, graffiti artists and other people involved in hip hop culture. By 1977, inspired by DJ Kool Herc and after getting his first equipment loaned to him from Disco King Mario, Bambaataa had begun organizing block parties all around the South Bronx. He even faced his mentor, Disco King Mario in a DJ battle. The Universal Zulu Nation, originally known simply as The Organization, is an international hip hop awareness group, which arose among reformed street gang members in New York City in the 1970s, formed and headed by hip hop music pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. ... Hip hop is a cultural movement that began amongst urban African American youth in New York and has since spread around the world. ... For other uses, see Graffiti (disambiguation). ... Categories: People stubs | Hip hop musicians | Hip hop DJs | 1955 births ... Disco King Mario was a pioneer of Hip Hop. ... A block party is a large informal public celebration in which many members of a single neighborhood congregate to observe a positive event of usually local importance. ...

Bam began Performing at Stevenson High School and forming a group calling it the Bronx River organization, then Later the Organization. Bam had deejayed with his own sound system at the Bronx River Community Center, with Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, and Cowboy, who accompanied him in performances in the community. Because of his prior status in the Black Spades, Bam already had an established party crowd drawn from former members of the gang. He became known as one of the best in the Bronx.

About a year later he reformed a group, calling it the Zulu Nation (inspired by his wide studies on African history at the time). Five b-boys (break dancers) joined him who he called the Shaka ZULU Kings, a.k.a. ZULU Kings; there were also the Shaka Zulu Queens. As Bam continued deejaying, more DJs, rappers, break dancers, graffiti writers, and artists followed his parties, and he took them under his wing and made them members of his Zulu Nation.

Bam formed the SoulSonic Force, which in its original makeup, consisted of approximately twenty Zulu Nation members. Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, DJ Cowboy SoulSonic Force (#2)-Mr. Biggs, Pow Wow, G.L.0.B.E. (creator of the "MC popping" rap style), DJ Jazzy Jay Cosmic Force-Queen Lisa Lee, Prince Ikey C, Ice Ice (#1), Chubby Chub; Jazzy Five-DJ Jazzy Jay, Mr. Freeze, Master D.E.E., Kool DJ Red Alert, Sundance, Ice Ice (#2), CharlieChew, Master Bee; Busy Bee Starski, Akbar (Lil, Starski), Raheim. The personnel for the Soul Sonic Force were groups within groups that Bam would perform and make records with.

In 1980, Bam and his groups made their first recording with Paul Winley Record titled, "Death Mix". Winley also recorded Soul Sonic Force's landmark single, "Zulu Nation Throwdown", produced by disco king mario. Disappointed with the results of the single Bam left the company. Afrika Bambaataa (born April 17, 1957) is a DJ and community leader from the South Bronx, who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1970s. ...

In 1982, Hip-Hop artist Fab 5 Freddy was putting together music packages in the largely white downtown Manhattan New-Wave clubs, and invited Bam to perform at one of them, called the Mudd Club. It was the first time Bam had performed before a predominantly white crowd, making it the first time Hip Hop fused with White culture. Attendance for Bam's parties downtown became so large that he had to move to larger venues, first to the Ritz, with Malcolm McLaren's group, Bow Wow Wow (and where the Rock Steady Crew b-boys became part of the Zulu Nation), then to the Peppermint Lounge, The Jefferson, Negril, Danceteria, and the Roxy. "Planet Rock", a popular single, came out that June under the name Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force. 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. freestyle music, house music and techno music. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Kraftwerk (pronounced [], German for power station) is a German musical group from Düsseldorf that has made immense contributions to the development of improvisational rock and electronic music, most notably within the latter categorys sub-genres which later became known as synthpop, electro, techno, house and IDM. Early musical... Trans-Europe Express is the English language version of a 1977 music album by German band Kraftwerk (see 1977 in music). ... Ennio Morricone (born November 10, 1928; sometimes also credited as Dan Savio or Leo Nichols) is an Italian composer especially noted for his film scores. ... Electro (also known as electro funk) is an electronic style of hip hop directly influenced by Kraftwerk and funk records (unlike earlier rap records that were closer to disco). ... For other uses, see Electronic music (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about a genre of dance music. ... House music is a style of electronic dance music that was developed by dance club DJs in Chicago in the early to mid-1980s. ... Techno is a form of electronic dance music that became prominent in Detroit, Michigan during the mid-1980s with influences from electro, New Wave, Funk and futuristic fiction themes that were prevalent and relative to modern culture during the end of the Cold War in industrial America at that time. ...

Bambaataa organized the very first European hip hop tour. Along with himself were rapper and graffiti artist Rammellzee, Zulu Nation DJ Grand Mixer DXT (formerly Grand Mixer D.St), 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. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three main originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and "Godfather" of Hip Hop Culture as well as The Father of The Electro Funk Sound. This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... DJ Grand Mixer DXT (formerly Grand Mixer D.St as in Delancey Street, born Derek Howells) is credited with inventing turntablism, the rhythmic scratching of a record on a turntable, then using different velocities to alter the pitch of the note or sound on the recording, making the turntable a... The Rock Steady Crew circa 1981. ... Fred Brathwaite (born 1959), more popularly known as Fab 5 Freddy, was a graffiti artist in the 1970s. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the graffiti artist. ...

Bam's second release around 1983 was "Looking for the Perfect Beat," then later, "Renegades of Funk," both with the same SoulSonic Force. Bam began working with producer Bill Laswell at Jean Karakos's Celluloid Records, where he developed and placed two groups on the label, "Time Zone" and "Shango". He did "Wildstyle" with Time Zone, and in 1984 he did a duet with punk-rocker John Lydon and Time Zone, titled "World Destruction" which was the first time ever that Hip Hop was mix with Rock predating RunDmc's duet with Areosmith "Walk This Way". Shango's album Shango Funk Theology was also released by the label in 1984. That same year Bam and other Hip Hop celebrities appeared in the movie Beat Street. Bam also made a landmark recording with James Brown, titled "Unity." It was admirably billed in music industry circles as "the Godfather of Soul meets the Godfather of Hip Hop."

Around October 1985 Bam and other music stars worked on the antiapartheid album Sun City with Little Steven Van Zandt, Run-D.M.C., and Lou Reed and numerous others. During 1988 Bam recorded another landmark piece as Afrika Bambaatea and Family. The work featured Nona Hendryx, UB40, Boy George, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and yellowman, and it was titled The Light. Bam had recorded a few other works with Family three years earlier, one titled "Funk you" in 85, and the other titled Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere) in 1986.

In 1990 Bam made Life magazine's "Most Important Americans of the 20th Century" issue. He was also involved in the antiapartheid work "Hip Hop Artists Against Apartheid" for Warlock Records. He teamed with the Jungle Brothers to record the album Return to Planet Rock (The Second Coming).

Greenstreet Records, John Baker, and Bam organized a concert at Wembley Stadium in London for the A.N.C. (African National Congress), in honor of Nelson Mandela's release from prison. The concert brought together performances by British and American rappers, and also introduced both Nelson and Winnie Mandela and the A.N.C. to Hip-Hop audiences. In relation to the event, the recording Ndodemnyama (Free South Africa) helped raise approximately $30,000 for the A.N.C. Bam also helped to raise funds for the organization in Italy.

In 1993 he 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. Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... The Light is the 1995 debut release by popular American prog-rock band, Spocks Beard. ... George Clinton (born July 22, 1940) is an American musician and the principal architect of P-Funk. ... William Bootsy Collins (born October 26, 1951 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a pioneering funk bassist, singer, and songwriter. ... George Alan ODowd, better known as Boy George (born June 14, 1961 in Eltham, London) is a rock singer-songwriter. ... UB40 are a British dub band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. ...

Around the early 90's, Hollywood began making a stream of violent movies glorifying California gang life, fueling hype about "bloods" and "crips". The bloods and crips, 2 major black street gangs that feud in west coast ghettos, had now been adopted by New York and other east coast hoodlums who admired the image seen on screen. A rash of initiation assaults, raids and gang violence resurrected after being denounced in the beginning stage of Hip Hop. Suddenly a trend of blood and crip association and attire was seen in rap music. Gangs began to target innocent people and fight with each other. Bambaataa, having seen it before lead to increased negativity, began holding peace conferences. Bam called on all gang leaders from the Latin kings street gang, crips, and bloods and formed a peace treaty in the streets. Bambaataa is credited for preventing huge gang wars and an outbreak of crime while outsiders and politicians credited Rudy Guilianni, the Mayor of NYC at the time.^{[citation needed]}

From the mid-1990s, Bam returned to his electro roots, collaborating with Westbam (who was named after him) and culminating in 2004's album Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light which featured Gary Numan and many others. In 2000, Rage Against the Machine covered Afrika's song "Renegades of Funk" for their album Renegades. Also in 2000, Afrika Bambaataa collaborated with Leftfield on the song "Afrika Shox", the first single from Leftfield's Rhythm and Stealth. Afrika Shox is also popularly known from the soundtrack to Vanilla Sky. In 2006, he featured on the British singer Jamelia's album Walk With Me on a song called Do Me Right, and on Mekon‎'s album Some Thing Came Up, on the track D-Funktional. WestBam, also known as Maximillian Lenz (born 4 March 1965 in Münster, Westphalia, Germany) is one of the most successful and popular rave techno DJs in Germany. ... For the video game programmer Garry Newman, see Garrys Mod. ... This article is about the American rock band. ... Alternate Covers Renegades is the fourth studio album to date by Rage Against the Machine. ... Leftfield were a duo of electronica artists and record producers, Paul Daley (formerly of The Rivals, A Man Called Adam and the Brand New Heavies) and Neil Barnes, formed in 1989 in London, England. ... Afrika Shox was the first single released from Leftfields album Rhythm and Stealth. ... Leftfield were a duo of electronica artists and record producers, Paul Daley (formerly of The Rivals, A Man Called Adam and the Brand New Heavies) and Neil Barnes, formed in 1989 in London, England. ... Rhythm and Stealth is an album by Leftfield released on 20th September 1999. ... Vanilla Sky is a 2001 film which has been variously characterized by published film critics as an odd mixture of science fiction, romance, and reality warp [2], part Beautiful People fantasy, part New Age investigation of the Great Beyond[3] a love story, a struggle for the soul, or an... Jamelia Niela Davis (born on 11 January 1981), known professionally as Jamelia, is a four-time MOBO Award-winning and BRIT Award nominated artist who found fame in early 2000 after impressing music executives at Parlophone Records with self-written a capella songs. ... Walk with Me is the third studio album by British R&B singer-songwriter Jamelia, released by EMI controlled Parlophone Records in September 2006 (see 2006 in music). ... Mekon, also known as Agent Provocateur, was born as John Gosling in the UK. He is a big beat musician and worked together with artists such as Schoolly D, Roxanne Shanté, Marc Almond and Afrika Bambaataa. ...

Bambaataa has also performed a variety of both hilarious and serious voice over character roles in the international television series known around the world as Kung Faux [1] from Dubtitled Entertainment and Tommy Boy Films [2]. Kung Faux is a comedy television series that remixes classic kung fu movies with popular music, comic book style editing and video game style special effects, and new voice-over dubbing from primarily hip hop personalities ranging from Gang Starrs Guru, Queen Latifah, Jean Grae, Mr. ... DUBTITLED is an influential entertainment company founded by ( Michael )Mic Neumann in 1999 that is most prominently known for their unique style of dubbing voice overs, editing, and creating the international television series, Kung Faux, in addition to work on popular video games, films, commercials, and music videos with top...

On September 27, 2007, it was announced that Afrika Bambaataa was one of the nine nominees for the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions.[3]

Discography

This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Tommy Boy Records is a record label started in 1981 by Tom Silverman after borrowing $5000 from his parents. ... Looking For The Perfect Beat is a 1983 electro/hip hop song by Afrika Bambaataa. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... Hottie was the first and only single out of Ashley Ballards debut album Get In The Booth. ... Look up profile in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... DMC has several meanings: Disco Mix Club, an organization known for its yearly world DJ championships. ... Avex Trax logo Avex Trax or Avex Entertainment Corporation is a music record label originally from Japan. ...

Music sample

Planet Rock (sample) Image File history File links Planet_Rock. ...

Planet Rock was released in 1982 and is widely known as a pioneering track for rap music as a whole, as well as for Bambaataa.

Problems listening to the file? See media help.

External links

• Afrika Bambaataa at MusicBrainz
• Afrika Bambaataa at the Internet Movie Database
• Afrika Bambaataa interview from 2005 in Los Angeles by Street Gangs Media
• Afrika Bambaataa at Rolling Stone
• Afrika Bambaataa Tribute at Digitaldreamdoor.com

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References