In today’s Throwback Thursday we look at an artist who’s widely credited as being the Grandfather and Godfather of Hip Hop; Afrika Bambaataa, born Kevin Donovan in South Bronx, New York. Afrika grew up surrounded by the liberation of African-Americans from an oppressive nation. He grew up in the Bronx River Projects where gangs where considered to be the law due to the absence of law. Bam, as he’s also known by, created his own gang The Black Spades and he quickly became a warlord.
After a trip to Africa and meeting the Zulu, Bam returned to the States and began on transforming the Black Spade gang into the peaceful Bronx River Organization. Bam took his name from Zulu chief Bhambatha, who led a rebellion against the system which would eventually become the anti-apartheid movement.
Back in the US, Bam began hosting Hip Hop parties as a means of turning angry children away from gang life and into something constructive. In 1982, Bam and his followers left America and went on the very first Hip Hop tour ever. Bam is credited with coining the term Hip Hop.
Bam’s song Planet Rock (1982) is widely known as being one of the main pioneers of shaping and creating what Hip Hop is today. Bam’s musical style has been credited with not only modern Hip Hop but also helping with the creation of House, Electronica and Techno. While he intended his music to be used at parties he also actively placed political messages in his songs. The 1985 album Sun City is a prime example with the main message behind the album about the anti-apartheid movement.
Bam has a high profile of collaborations some may surprise you and some mightn’t; James Brown, Boy George, UB40 and Jamelia are among some of the more well-known collaborators. In 2007 Bam was nominated to be inducted into the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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