The Founder
Zulu Nation Throwdown
An interview with Afrika Bambaataa
For many, Afrika Bambaataa is the godfather of Hip Hop and Hip Hop culture. Born Kevin Donovan, Afrika quickly became involved in the burgeoning Hip Hop scene which exploded at the end of the 70s, organising and DJing at block parties in and around the Bronx.
Originally part of an infamous street gang, Afrika and several of its ex-members reformed and channelled their efforts into breakdancing and DJing. Naming the collective "Zulu Nation" after Bam was inspired by the courageous warriors from the film Zulu he took the name "Afrika Bambaataa" and set out to promote Hip Hop music and culture. His big break came with "Planet Rock", which fused the electro-futurism of Kraftwerk with Arthur Baker and John Robie's beat programming to create one of the first wholly synthesised hip-hop records, as well as a massive dancefloor hit that was to propel Hip Hop into a wider audience. Bam's eclectic musical interests have resulted in many collaborations which include John Lydon, James Brown and Leftfield and influenced a wealth of electro artists who became the precursors to Detroit techno and Miami bass of the 80s and 90s. With the 20th anniversary of the label Tommy Boy, the classic tracks Bambaataa laid down in the early 80s were brought together for Looking for the Perfect Beat Amazon.co.uk Music Editor Caroline Butler speaks to the godfather of Hip Hop, Afrika Bambaataa, about Planet Rock, Tommy Boy, the UK music scene and the "fifth element that is Hip Hop".
Originally part of an infamous street gang, Afrika and several of its ex-members reformed and channelled their efforts into breakdancing and DJing. Naming the collective "Zulu Nation" after Bam was inspired by the courageous warriors from the film Zulu he took the name "Afrika Bambaataa" and set out to promote Hip Hop music and culture. His big break came with "Planet Rock", which fused the electro-futurism of Kraftwerk with Arthur Baker and John Robie's beat programming to create one of the first wholly synthesised hip-hop records, as well as a massive dancefloor hit that was to propel Hip Hop into a wider audience. Bam's eclectic musical interests have resulted in many collaborations which include John Lydon, James Brown and Leftfield and influenced a wealth of electro artists who became the precursors to Detroit techno and Miami bass of the 80s and 90s. With the 20th anniversary of the label Tommy Boy, the classic tracks Bambaataa laid down in the early 80s were brought together for Looking for the Perfect Beat Amazon.co.uk Music Editor Caroline Butler speaks to the godfather of Hip Hop, Afrika Bambaataa, about Planet Rock, Tommy Boy, the UK music scene and the "fifth element that is Hip Hop".
