Writing About Afrika Bambaataa
By
Wes Flexner-ANON
Afrika Bambaataa gave us the ultimate argument for Hip Hop.
Art is constructive energy.
Peace, Unity, Love, Having Fun.
New York City was filled with gangs because of economic conditions.
We’ve all seen the Warriors.
Instead of fighting like in Michael Jackson’s Beat It…
People started rapping, painting graffiti, Bboying, and deejaying.
Afrika Bambaataa had Hip Hop and community power where breakdancing battles replaced violence from our understandings.
Bambaataa combined raps with Kraftwerk meets P-Funk presentation.
Kraftwerk created a future sound which worked with Krautrock after Germany needed a positive direction after the Holocaust. Does nazi chic undermine Krautrock?
Bambaataa’s understanding of Hip Hop circa early 80’s and Arthur Baker’s bridging from disco into techno was something new after cointellpro destroyed the Civil Right Movement.
Jeff Chang pointed out Hip Hop was the first movement after the Civil Rights in a zoom conference I attended led by Jeff Chang with Kool Herc, and Cindy Campbell for Chang’s book Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.
Problem 1:
Bambaataa’s community power was partially enforced by a cult.
Afrika Bambaataa is a Nuwaubian. The Nuwaubian Nation was a Black separatist religion which used a void in Humanity created by inhumane treatment of black people for creating a religion built by worshipping Malachi York. York existed for some black people like Epstein, and Netanyahu exist for Zionists and pedophiles..
Afrika Bambaataa led the Zulu Nation who regulated positive behaviors. Zulu Nation ideas were presented as Factology. You won’t find fault with much of Zulu Nation’s Factology.
Factology is a term from Malachi York.
Nuwaubian leader Malachi York eventually was sentenced to 135 years in prison for charges involved pedophilia. Malachi York’s son Jacob York turned in Malachi because his dad was molesting underage women. Malachi built a compound in Georgia after the Nation of Islam, and 5 Percenters chased Malachi out of New York City because of pedophilia.
Malachi was arrested in his Georgia in his David Koresh style compound.
Jacob York later managed Dipset, and Gucci Mane. Zulu Nation denounced Afrika Bambaataa’s pedophilia in recent years. Zulu Nation still uses the term Factology.
Problem 2:
Hip Hop has homophobic American cultural tendencies.
I knew Bambaataa was queer from conversation with promoters.
I am assuming Bambaataa’s pedophila problem stemmed from the same reason Catholic Priests’ molest.
Cultural sexual repression.
In Hip Hop homosexuality wasn’t accepted.
Bambaataa didn’t develop healthy sexual relationships. Bambaataa’s Nuwuabian culture did allow pedophilia from access, and power.
What does a music journalist do with Bambaataa?
I don’t blame homosexuality. I find fault with individuals behaviours because of societal problems with sexuality.
Jerry Lee Lewis wed his 13 year old cousin. Jerry Lee Lewis 22 years old.
Jerry Lee Lewis was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame by Hank Williams Jr. in 1986.
My first instinct is Bambaata’s dead.
Bambaata can’t molest children.
I think it’s important is people don’t empower or enable child molestors. Pedophiles use proximity, power, and fear of retribution for illegal and immoral sexual activities.
I took a simple approach. I remind people of context.
During my ANONROCKNROLL radio shows, I played New Edition then Bambaataa.
The reason:
New York City music pioneer Arthur Baker produced New Edition after Bambaataa.
In proximity Bambaataa’s could’ve attempted in molested New Edition if Baker and Bambaataa studio sessions were scheduled near each other.
New Edition reminds us people shouldn’t empower or enable child molestors.
Bambaataa’s dead.
We can study the importance of his music and involvement in the Hip Hop social revolution without putting children at risk.
Bambaataa died of prostate cancer.
I wish Bambaataa didn’t engage in inappropriate behaviors. If Bambaataa just came out. Bambaataa could’ve become an icon for the gay rights movement and another social victory for Hip Hop.
Bambaataa probably could’ve fucked young looking men who were age of consent if that was Bambaataa’s preference.
Instead Bambaataa died of prostate cancer, and with disgrace of ruining other’s lives with pedophilia.
I think we can learn from Bambaataa. Bambaataa isn’t proximity of children. Bambaataa’s dead.
Hip Hop’s culture shows the importance art, music and community as a cultural outlet.
Remember New York City faced cuts in arts funding.
The South Bronx was desolate.
Bambaataa didn’t create the problems that made Malachi York powerful.
Slavery and the oppression of black people made Malachi York’s power seem as something people should support.
Writing about Bambaataa
Remember Hip Hop exists.
Remember cultural problems which existed before Hip Hop.
Look at the internal problems of Hip Hop culture.
Remember the progress Hip Hop created.
Remind everyone pedophilia is wrong. Does anyone like the idea Bambaata would’ve molested Bobby Brown or Ralph Tresevent if proximity would’ve allowed?
Queers have found acceptance in Hip Hop.
Andre 3000 solved Bambaataa’s manhood issues. Andre 3000 is straight. Andre 3000 could be accepted in 2026 regardless of sexuality. Andre 3000 didn’t molest children. Have you heard Sorry Miss Jackson?
Which brings us into the problem about writing about Kanye West. Kanye West was the first mainstream rapper who stood up for queer people.. We aren’t addressing writing about Kanye West today.
I won’t finalize my opinions about Kanye until Trump isn’t our countries’ leader. I’m waiting for Trumpism’s conclusion
Point.
Slavery and homophobia created some other problems.
Bambaataa made wrong choices because of Malachi York had power for oppressed people.
Followers of Malachi York included MF Doom, Jay-Z, Erykah Badu and Andre 3000.
I think we can appreciate Bambaataa the same way we understand our nation founder’s owned slaves. We utilize the ideas and philosphy of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice. We don’t trespass on other people’s bodies.
Andre 3000 everything we love about Bambaataa’s Hip Hop culture. Andre 3000 is creative. Andre 3000 unite’s people with peace love, unity, and having fun. Andre 3000 isn’t a pedophile.
People should play Planet Rock, Looking For The Perfect Beat, Renegades of Funk, and Jazzy Sensation.
Everyone should remember we love Andre 3000. We don’t love R. Kelly. You won’t allow R. Kelly near children. You won’t give R. Kelly a bottle of water, tickle him while introducing R. Kelly to children. Afrika Bambaataa is dead.
Hip Hop lives.
Peace. Love. Unity. Having Fun. Don’t molest children.