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Posted by Robert
Rap News Network
9/14/2004 7:22:07 AM
Afrika Bambaataa was the godfather of hip hop in the last millennium and has become the AMEN RA of universal hip hop culture this millennium. He's a timeless legend, as relevant today as he was over two decades ago when "Planet Rock" became one of the first "break out" hits to help put hip-hop on the map (thereby becoming one of hip hops first "classics"). In the '70s Bam was one of hip-hop's first promoters and best-known DJs. In the 80s he created countless classics, and collaborated with everyone from James Brown to Boy George to John Lydon. In the 90s his Zulu Nation launched the careers of De la Soul, Queen Latifah, and A Tribe Called Quest. Today, Bam is still one of the most daring and innovative artists around.
Afrika''s name is synonymous with experimentation. His genre-defying work has inspired countless imitators and served to forge a foundation for everything from Detroit techno to electro. Even ideas as seemingly elemental as speeding up records and playing them backwards are commonplace due largely to the imagination of Afrika Bambaataa.
Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light, Afrika Bambaata's latest release, taps into elements ranging from African percussion, Bollywood, and jazz, to techno, new wave and "dirty south," blending them into one of the most interesting and infectious dance albums in recent memory.
Bam's long-term mission -- to promote peace by creating joyful records that make people want to come together, dance and celebrate life -- has been a constant throughout his history as an artist. It continues today with Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light -- a smart party record filled with this same adventurous spirit and sense of joy that makes us all love Bam so much.
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