Hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, widely regarded as one of the founding figures of the genre, has been accused of s*xual assault by French rapper Solo in allegations that have surprised the music industry and the global hip-hop community.
On November 28, 2024, during an interview with the French outlet CliqueTV, Solo, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion and founding member of the influential French rap group Assassin, shared incidents from his teenage years.
In a conversation later translated by the martial arts publication BJJ Eastern Europe, Solo reflected on the difficulty of confronting alleged predatory behavior by someone he once admired, referencing Bambaataa.
“Being confronted by a predator, especially someone you admire, is very difficult because you admire this person. Realizing they have flaws that lead to inappropriate behavior is a shock,” Solo said.
Afrika Bambaataa, whose real name is Lance Taylor, is an American DJ, rapper, and record producer from the South Bronx, New York City. According to Britannica, he is widely regarded as one of the “godfathers” of hip-hop, alongside trailblazers DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash.
Getting to know Afrika Bambaataa
Born on April 17, 1957, in New York, United States, Afrika Bambaataa is a 67-year-old record producer and DJ. His parents emigrated to the United States from Jamaica and Barbados, but his mother and uncle raised him, though the reasons for this arrangement remain unknown.
From a young age, Bambaataa exhibited a deep interest in music and was a member of the Black Spades, a street organization with musical roots, as noted by Britannica. Bambaataa is closely associated with several musical groups, including the Universal Zulu Nation, Soulsonic Force (since 1980), and Sirius B.
According to Britannica, he founded the Universal Zulu Nation in the 1970s, a music-based youth organization he led for more than four decades, focusing on promoting peace, unity, and social awareness through music.
Bambaataa’s career as a DJ began in the mid-1970s when he organized neighborhood block parties and breakdancing competitions that spotlighted local DJs and homemade sound systems. His first single, Zulu Nation Throwdown with Soulsonic Force, was released in 1980.
He quickly gained recognition for his innovative approach to music, producing groundbreaking singles that helped define hip-hop, electro-funk, and dance music. His most notable works include Planet Rock (1982), Looking for the Perfect Beat (1983), Renegades of Funk (1983), Unity (1984), and World Destruction (1984).
Despite his influential career, Bambaataa’s personal life has remained largely private. Public attention has focused on his contributions to music and his role in hip-hop’s evolution. He currently resides in the Bronx, New York.
More about the s*xual assault allegations faced by Afrika Bambaataa
On Thursday, French rapper Solo appeared on CliqueTV and disclosed allegations that Afrika Bambaataa had s*xually assaulted him.
During the interview, Solo further alleged that Bambaataa had previously assaulted another young boy in the presence of an adult film. Solo described his shock upon encountering the alleged adult movie, stating that he was so overwhelmed by the experience that he could not move.
“That too is something you’re not prepared for. When I found myself in front of the p*rn, I was so shocked that I didn’t move,” Solo said.
Furthermore, the rapper mentioned that it took him many years to fully comprehend that he was the victim. When the interviewer asked whether he felt responsible for the alleged assault, Solo explained that, during such an experience, one often faces significant emotional and psychological turmoil, making it difficult to process.
“I needed personal development and support to even recognize that I was a victim. That was the hardest part. There’s this feeling that you didn’t have the right reaction at the right time. Over time, I understood that mechanisms are triggered that make it impossible to respond appropriately,” Solo said.
This is not the first time Afrika Bambaataa has faced s*xual assault allegations. According to All Hip Hop, in 2016, several individuals, including Hassan Campbell, Ronald Savage, E-Jay, and two anonymous victims came forward with allegations that Bambaataa had s*xually abused them during their childhood.
As a result, Bambaataa was expelled from the Universal Zulu Nation, though he has consistently denied the allegations.
Bambaataa has yet to respond to Solo’s recent accusations.
Edited by Rachith Rao
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