Renowned musical artist Afrika Bambaataa has passed away at the age of 67 in Pennsylvania after a battle with cancer. The influential founder of the Universal Zulu Nation, born Lance Taylor, succumbed to complications from his illness in the early hours of Thursday morning, as reported by TMZ.
A pivotal figure in shaping the early identity of Hip Hop, Afrika Bambaataa was celebrated for his role in establishing the genre as a global movement grounded in peace, unity, love, and enjoyment. Kurtis Blow and other members of his group expressed their admiration for Bambaataa’s contributions to music and culture.
‘Today, we acknowledge the transition of a foundational architect of Hip Hop culture, Afrika Bambaataa,’ the Hip-Hop Alliance said in a statement on Instagram about the late Planet Rock performer.
However, his legacy is not without controversy. In his later years, Bambaataa faced legal challenges related to allegations of sexual misconduct involving several young men. These allegations have spurred significant discussions within the Hip Hop community about his complex legacy.
The Hip-Hop Alliance addressed these issues in their statement, emphasizing their commitment to truth and accountability. They highlighted the importance of acknowledging all perspectives while continuing to promote and protect the empowering aspects of Hip Hop culture.
‘At the same time, we recognize that his legacy is complex and has been the subject of serious conversations within our community,’ the group said.
Influential musical artist Afrika Bambaataa died in Pennsylvania on Thursday at the age of 67 after battling cancer. Pictured in NYC in 1999
The Hip-Hop Alliance added, ‘As an organization committed to truth, accountability, and the preservation of Hip Hop culture, we believe it is important to hold space for all voices while continuing to uplift what empowers and protects the people.’
The group ended its statement in saying, ‘Today, we extend our condolences to all who were impacted by his life, his work, and his presence.
‘Hip Hop was built on truth, and through truth the culture continues to grow, heal, and evolve. Rest in Power Bam.’
In his earlier years, the New York City-born entertainer was a member of a gang called the Black Spades, the outlet reported.
Bambaataa stated throwing South Bronx block parties in the 1970s which eventually took shape as a key backdrop amid the rise of the musical genre.
Bambaataa’s debut single, Zulu Nation Throwdown, was released in 1980, in a reference to his hip hop art collective, the Universal Zulu Nation.
The track paved the way for Bambaataa’s most successful commercial performance with 1982’s Planet Rock.
Bambaataa at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s Hip Hop Initiative in 2006 in NYC
The Zulu Nation founder, whose real name was Lance Taylor, pictured in NYC in 2015
Bambaataa was also involved in the production of the Artists United Against Apartheid 1985 album Sun City led by musician-actor Steven Van Zandt.
Other notable names involved in the project included late legends such as Miles Davis, Clarence Clemons, and Lou Reed; as well as musical icons such as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Gabriel and Bruce Springsteen.
Among the other notable names Bambaataa collaborated with included the late James Brown on the 1984 track Unity; the Sex Pistols’ John Lydon on 1984’s World Destruction; UB40’s 1988 single Reckless; and Leftfield’s 1999 track Afrika Shox, which was on the soundtrack to 2001’s Vanilla Sky.
Bambaataa faced significant legal difficulties over the last decade of his life, as multiple men accused him of sexual abuse during the 1980s and 1990s.
Political activist Ronald Savage said in 2016 that Bambaataa had molested him when he was 15 in 1980, leading to sexual misconduct accusations from three more men.
Later in the month, the Universal Zulu Nation distanced itself from Bambaataa – who resigned from his executive position on May 6, 2016.
The organization also parted ways with ‘all accused parties and those accused of covering up the current allegations of child molestation.’
In a statement provided to Rolling Stone in April of 2016, Bambaataa described the allegations as ‘baseless’ and ‘a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in hip hop at this time.
Bambaataa faced legal difficulties over the last decade of his life, as multiple men accused him of sexual abuse during the 1980s and 1990s
Bambaataa (pictured in 2014 in NYC) denied allegations of sex abuse in a 2016 interview
Last year, a New York court ordered Bambaataa to settle financially in a civil case with a man who accused him of sex trafficking him during the 1990s. Pictured 2012
‘This negligent attack on my character will not stop me from continuing my battle and standing up against the violence in our communities, the violence in the nation and the violence worldwide.’
Bambaataa told Fox 5 News in 2016 in response to the allegations, ‘I never abused nobody – you know, it just sounds crazy for people to say that, to hear: “You abused me.”
‘You know all my people back then, you know the hundreds of people that been around me. If something like that happened, why you never went to none of them?’
Last year, a New York court ordered him to settle financially in a civil case with a man who accused Bambaataa of sex trafficking him during the 1990s, TMZ reported.
A default judgement was issued after Bambaataa missed the hearing in the matter.
