Afrika Bambaataa DJed a benefit for funk legend Bernie Worrell in a rare public appearance [photo by Kenneth St. George for Okayplayer]
A few weeks back, some fairly disturbing allegations of sexual abuse were brought against hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa by Bronx political activist, Ronald Savage. In a statement shared with Daily News, Savage claimed that in 1980, Bambaataa had fondled him (Savage, age 15, Bam, age 23,) and in a subsequent incident, was forced to perform oral sex on another member of the Zulu Nation.
Those claims were detailed in Savage's self-published memoir, Impulse Urges and Fantasies, and have been met with staunch denial on the part of Zulu, and more recently, Bambaataa's attorney, who dismissed those accusations altogether. Today, Bambaataa has finally released his own statement to Rolling Stone, claiming "these allegations are baseless and are a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in hip-hop at this time." Obviously this is a sensitive time for both Bam and Savage. As such, we don't expect their to be much more in the way of clapbacks or further statements, but we'll certainly be keeping an intent eye on the matter as it develops. Read Afrika Bambaataa's full statement on the allegations brought against him down below.
"I, Afrika Bambaataa, want to take this opportunity at the advice of my legal counsel to personally deny any and all allegations of any type of sexual molestation of anyone. These allegations are baseless and are a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in hip-hop at this time. This negligent attack on my character will not stop me from continuing my battle and standing up against the violence in our communities, the violence in the nation and the violence worldwide. In the name of the Supreme Force, who is called by many names, whom All Praise is due. Good Spiritual Human, I pray for all of you and ask in returns your prayers, and let us all do what we must to help change our ways on how we treat each other in evilness, to respect and love for each other as Humans Beings. May Peace and Blessings be upon each and everyone of you. Who would stand up to save us and our planet with so much chaos going on? Peace, Love, Honor and Respect to all."
