Funkmaster Flex is dealing with an FCC criticism. Stands With Survivors, an advocacy group, filed a criticism in opposition to feedback made by Funkmaster Flex throughout a current present that includes Afrika Bambaataa. The Hip-Hop pioneer, who has largely stayed out of the general public eye since being accused of kid molestation by former Zulu Nation members Roland Savage and Hassan Campbell in 2016, made a uncommon look on Flex’s present on August seventeenth.
Bambaataa, also referred to as Lance Taylor, carried out a DJ set on the present. In response to Hip-Hop Wired, Flex later referenced Savage’s alleged recanting of his allegations in opposition to Bambaataa, stating: “It appears there’s a discrepancy that has been cleared up with Afrika Bambaataa and the younger man Bee Stinger. Evidently the pedophile phrase that was getting used, Bee Stinger is now saying that Afrika Bambaataa will not be a pedophile.”
Flex added, “I don’t care whether or not or not Afrika Bambaataa prefers males or girls or each. Sure, we do care if the phrase pedophile is used however clearly, in accordance with AllHipHop that spoke to Bee Stinger, he’s saying that’s not the case.”
Ronald “Bee-Stinger” Savage walked again accusations in opposition to Afrika Bambaataa, who he accused of sexual abuse when he was 15 years previous.
AllHipHop notes the 2 have been pictured collectively at an occasion for the Zulu Nation, which Savage offered context to the second. “By no means underestimate the ability of God when he intervenes in an affair he units every part straight,” Savage mentioned.
Savage acknowledged Bambaataa sexually abused him when he was a teen. The 2016 assertion was a part of a sequence of bombshell statements in opposition to Bambaataa. Talking with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmurk, Savage acknowledged he doesn’t see the legend as a pedophile.
“Bambaataa will not be a pedophile and, in my eyes, he was doing one thing that was consensual with somebody that he thought was of age,” he mentioned. “I want, again in 2016, I remembered concerning the faux ID. I wasn’t serious about that I had forgot about that I used to be in deep despair and nonetheless coping with the trauma as an grownup. I need to apologize for the little child that didn’t know anyone and simply wished to be down with this factor referred to as Hip-Hop so I pretended to be older.
“That is one thing that befell 35 to over 40 years in the past. This man has by no means been convicted of something. Let it go. I wanted to set the file straight [and get] my closure.”
You’ll be able to hear the complete interview under and skim extra right here.
Final 12 months, Afrika Bambaataa and his position because the co-founder of the Common Hip Hop Museum sparked some controversy, with an advocacy group demanding the defunding of the just lately constructed museum due to the Hip Hop pioneer’s sexual abuse allegations.
This week, a bunch referred to as Hip Hop Stands With Survivors launched a letter calling NYC Mayor Eric Adams to halt all taxpayer funding funneled into the UHHM and fireplace the group’s Government Director, Rocky Bucano. The letter additionally requires all corporations, corresponding to Microsoft, to finish their monetary relationship with the UHHM.
The letter says, “We anticipate his resignation or for the board to vote him out of the museum’s management and for the museum to sever all ties with Bucano, Bambaataa, and the Zulu Nation.”
In 2019, the State of New York donated a $3.5million grant to the museum. It’s scheduled to open someday in 2023 or 2024 to have a good time Hip Hop’s fiftieth anniversary.
The protest has been taken to the streets, with a direct response coming from Mayor Adams.
“The Common Hip Hop Museum assured the administration that they reduce ties with the Common Zulu Nation and that Afrika Bambaataa has not had a task on the Common Hip Hop Museum since 2016,” Adams mentioned in a press release.
Government Director Bucano additionally launched a press release, denying that Bambaataa was ever a board member of the museum and that he was by no means a member of the Zulu Nation.
His assertion says, “The Common Hip Hop Museum and Mr. Bucano condemn all acts of acts of violence and abuse. I want to make it clear that Afrika Bambaataa has not had a task on the Common Hip Hop Museum since 2016. I and the Common Hip Hop Museum will not be social gathering to any actions affiliated with the Common Zulu Nation I affirm that the Common Hip Hop Museum is dedicated to its mission to empower, educate, and uplift communities.” It goes on saying, “Whereas it’s true that Afrika Bambaataa was a founding member of the museum, he was faraway from any involvement with the museum as quickly because the allegations surfaced. He has by no means been a board member, advisory board member or volunteer. I’ve by no means been a member of the Common Zulu Nation nor am I an agent of the group or Afrika Bambaataa. The assertion that UHHM is a monetary entrance for the Common Zulu Nation, Afrika Bambaataa, or different Common Zulu Nation members, is irresponsible, false, and misdirected.”
Bambaataa was hit with a number of sexual abuse allegations going again to the Seventies however has maintained his innocence.
His legal professional, Vivian Ok. Tozaki, issued a press release in 2016 saying, “Not too long ago, defamatory statements have been revealed in search of to hurt my consumer’s fame in order to decrease him within the estimation of the group whereas deterring others from associating or coping with him. The statements present a reckless disregard for the reality, have been revealed with data of their falsity, and are being made by a lesser-known particular person in search of publicity. Precious cultural sources, corresponding to Afrika Bambaataa’s good title and time, ought to by no means be used to help a mediocre particular person’s asinine quest for social media recognition and superficial achieve.”
