“I learned the hard way over time that the organization was not what it pretended to be,” said Edwards at the protest, “One of them on the phone actually told me, ‘Well, it wasn’t like babies, it was like 10-, 12-year-olds.’ And this is what we protect.” Then Troi “Star” Torain, from the Star and Buc Wild radio show on Hot 97, spoke about it publicly.Īctivist Anton Edwards, 61, said he found out about the allegations from a friend who lived in the building where Bambaataa resided in 2014. Their culture tells them not to tell anybody, be tough, suck it up,” said Gabar Rodriguez.Īllegations reportedly first cropped up in former Zulu member Ronald Savage’s 2014 memoir. “Many times, Black and Latino men get raped, molested as little boys, and their culture tells them not to go to the police. “Children are collateral damage in these systems and it’s time to stop enablers.”Īdvocates at the rally who know the victims said that many were not exactly “altar boys”-that they did engage in crime and gang activity as youths, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve justice for being abused as adults. “Typically, the victims feel threatened, and this is a group of survivors that have been severely threatened and are standing up,” said Hamilton. Hamilton said the courts are currently experiencing a backlog of cases due to a combination of COVID and “bureaucracy.” She said there’s no chance there’s less abuse in these communities it’s that most people will not come forward. University of Pennsylvania law professor at Marci Hamilton said that people of color are “vastly underrepresented” when it comes to being victims as children. Everyone knew, but no charges were or have been officially filed. Instances of child molestation of young Black boys in the music industry were by no means unknown decades ago, said advocates. Our administration stands with survivors of sexual abuse.” “After allegations surfaced, the Universal Hip Hop Museum assured the administration that they cut ties with the Universal Zulu Nation and that Afrika Bambaataa has not had a role at the Universal Hip Hop Museum since 2016. “Any form of sexual abuse is reprehensible, and we condemn any individual or organization involved with these acts,” said a City Hall spokesperson in response to an Amsterdam News inquiry. In an extensive letter to Mayor Eric Adams, Wills and activists detailed their grievances. They said it is a conflict of interest to have public city and state funds support an “accused pedophile.” The group demanded that Bucano resign and Bambaataa memorabilia be removed from the museum. The museum’s founding members include Executive Director Rocky Bucano, Shawn Thomas, Kurtis Blow, Bambaataa, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Grand Wizzard Theodore, Mickey Bentson, and Joe Conzo, Jr. “This block should be flooded with people.” “I’m not going to stay quiet like a lot of you punks,” said Mikail at the protest. He said there may be trophies or Polaroid photos of others with these alleged victims that implicate their involvement. Visibly shaken at the podium, he recounted his time with the “cult”-like gang culture in the Zulu community. She likened the situation to 2018 rape allegations against music mogul Russell Simmons and other major hip hop figures who attempted sweep their victims under the rug.Ībdul-Malik Mikail, 45, a former Zulu member spokesmen, said that he was involved with the Zulu organization from when he was 14 to 37 years old. “This problem with the Zulu Nation is indicative of a bigger problem in hip hop,” said writer Leila Wills at the protest held adjacent to City Hall park. In the interim, Hip Hop Stands With Survivors, a collective of advocates, former Zulu members, and sexual abuse survivors, banded together to protest Bambaataa’s involvement and his works being displayed at the Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM) in the Bronx this Monday. A decision in the sex trafficking lawsuit against him is still pending. It’s been years since the disturbing allegations of pedophilia and child abuse against musician Lance Taylor, aka Afrika Bambaataa, and his Universal Zulu Nation organization were brought to light. Black Financial Health Open dropdown menu.
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