Afrika Bambaataa

Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa in April 2009
Afrika Bambaataa in April 2009
Background information
Birth nameLance Taylor
Born (1957-04-17) April 17, 1957 (age 67)
OriginThe Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • producer
  • rapper
Years active1977–2013
Labels

Lance Taylor (born on April 17, 1957), also known as Afrika Bambaataa (/ˌæfrɪkə bæmˈbɑːtə/),[2][3] is an American DJ, rapper, and record producer from South Bronx, New York City.[4][3] He is notable for releasing a series of genre-defining electro tracks in the 1980s that influenced the development of hip hop culture.[5] Afrika Bambaataa is one of the originators of breakbeat DJing.[1]

Through his co-opting of his street gang Black Spades into the music and culture-oriented organization Universal Zulu Nation, he has helped spread hip hop culture throughout the world.[6] In May 2016, Bambaataa left his position as head of the "Universal Zulu Nation" due to multiple allegations of child sexual abuse dating as far back as the 1970s.[7]

  1. ^ a b Shapiro, Peter, ed. (2000). Modulations: A History of Electronic Music. New York: Caipirinha Productions Inc. p. 152. ISBN 978-1-891024-06-1.
  2. ^ "Afrika Bambaataa". rockarchive.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Afrika Bambaataa [Aasim, Kevin Donovan]". Oxford Music Online. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  4. ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir (2001). All Music Guide to Electronica: The Definitive Guide to Electronic Music (4th ed.). Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Backbeat Books. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-87930-628-1.
  5. ^ Chang, Jeff (2005). Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation (1st ed.). New York City: Picador St. Martin's Press. pp. 63, 89, 91, 94–101, 141, 170, 182–183. ISBN 978-0-312-42579-1.
  6. ^ "Afrika Bambaataa". zulunation.com. Universal Zulu Nation. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  7. ^ Willis, Kiersten (May 9, 2016). "Afrika Bambaataa Steps Down as Zulu Nation Leader Amid Reports of Child Sexual Assault". Atlanta Black Star. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.