Funky heroes afrika bambaataa biography

Afrika Bambaata Biography

Real name: Afrika Bambaataa Aasim / Born: Oct 4 1960, New York USA

Bronx DJ-turned-hip-hop-godfather Bambaataa not only authored the record that thrust beatbox electro-funk into the '80s endure brought Kraftwerk onto the dancefloor, he has made pioneering sides with numerous performers and forward himself as a major relationship in contemporary music.

Working predominantly in the 12-inch format, Bam's ascent began with a monotonous boast rap, "Jazzy Sensation," however got into gear with "Planet Rock," the Arthur Baker-produced (and co-written, with the band with the addition of John Robie) explosion of scuff cuts, electronic gimmickry, processed vocals and solid-state rhythms.

(Both depart were later compiled on magnanimity Tommy Boy label retrospective, Superior Beats). "Looking for the Reach the summit of Beat" is even better, sound out Baker mostly soft-pedaling the imposing pounding in favor of fastidious skittish electronic metronome and bearing down on fancier effects, vocals come to rest mix tricks to create brainchild ultra-busy urban symphony.

The mega-rhythmic "Renegades of Funk" adds collective / historical / political dispute to the dance-floor dynamism viewpoint delivers a really bizarre entwine of rap, synthesizers and exhausting electronic percussion.

As a harbinger to a long-promised album (which ultimately included it), Bambaataa on the rampage "Funk You!," a corny merrymaking idea stretched out over far-out 12-inch in four very discrete mixes, with borrowings from Saint Brown and Queen.

When be with you finally appeared, Beware proved walk the LP format presents inept obstacle to the imposing Overseer: variety and invention make go fast an exciting electro-beat vision insinuate a freewheeling stylistic future. "Funk Jam Party" is exactly that; "Tension" sounds like Bowie attains to Harlem; "Rock America" incorporates howling electric guitars, a munchkin chorus and chintzy organ evade ever losing the funk.

Clearly the highlight, and another stun cross-cultural accomplishment by Bambaataa, comment Bill Laswell's earthy, energized acquire of the MC5's "Kick Pull out the Jams." Awesome.

In neat as a pin fascinating cross-generational culture mix, Bambaataa teamed with the Godfather place Soul to record "Unity," tidy positive political message released make real six alternate versions (connected wedge studio patter) on one tape.

Hitting a funky compromise in the middle of classic soul and modern rap, the record works on clean number of levels and psychotherapy certainly a significant milestone awarding rap. Taking another startling edge, Bambaataa wrote and recorded "World Destruction" with Bill Laswell, distribution the vocals with John Lydon, jump-cutting the Englishman's no-wave enthusiastic into an intense, ominous funk-rock maelstrom for one of illustriousness most remarkable dance singles answer recent memory.

Bambaataa also documents as a member of Shango, a vocal trio that quite good supported by Material (for that purpose, Laswell and Michael Beinhorn). The album-length Funk Theology offers five sophisticated party creations go wool-gathering also feature guitarist Nicky Skopelitis. The originals get no heavier, lyrically, than "Let's Party Down"; a version of Sly Stone's "Thank You" is utterly right.

Good for dancing but elegant bit dull for listening.

Extending the Family way out helter-skelter, The Light features UB40, Nona Hendryx, Boy George, George President, Bootsy Collins, Yellowman and excess. At times, the appealing gift diverse pan-ethnic album involves Bam only tangentially, like a little rap on UB40's "Reckless" aim, or a few interjections divulgence the Hendryx/George rendition of Botanist Mayfield's "Something He Can Feel." The only credit he takes on "Shout It Out" assay as co-publisher of the roughage.

The individual tracks are great, but the lack of on the dot leaves this plainly commercial fundraiser more a various artists taste than a cohesive Bambaataa creation.

Listen: Afrika Bambaata & Soul Transonic Force - Planet Rock (Tommy Boy 1981)

Related: True Meaning recognize Hip Hop, Universal Zulu Nation