Funkmaster Flex Gets Hit With FCC Complaint For Afrika Bambaataa Remarks
Written by djfrosty on September 4, 2024
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Funkmaster Flex was hit with an FCC complaint after making remarks concerning Afrika Bambaataa’s legal troubles on his show.
Funkmaster Flex and his New York-based radio station Hot 97 were hit with a filed complaint in response to comments the veteran DJ made on his show concerning Afrika Bambaataa. The complaint was filed by Hip-Hop Stands With Survivors, an advocacy group that objected to comments by Funkmaster Flex regarding Bambaataa, who made a rare public appearance on the former’s show on Aug. 17. The Hip-Hop pioneer has kept a low profile since being publicly accused of child molestation by former Zulu Nation members Roland Savage and Hassan Campbell among others in 2016.
During the Aug. 17 show, Bambaataa aka Lance Taylor played a DJ set. Flex would then comment on Savage’s apparent recanting of his testimony against Bambaataa, saying: “It seems that there’s a discrepancy that has been cleared up with Afrika Bambaataa and the young man Bee Stinger. It seems that the pedophile word that was being used, Bee Stinger is now saying that Afrika Bambaataa is not a pedophile.” The Hot 97 personality continued: “I don’t care whether or not Afrika Bambaataa prefers men or women or both. I don’t care. Yes, we do care if the word pedophile is used but obviously according to … AllHipHop that spoke to Bee Stinger, he’s saying that’s not the case.”
“The station was reckless with allowing this man in there as a guest when he has an open case of the most horrific nature,” said Hip-Hop Stands With Survivors co-founder Leila Wills of the complaint in an interview. “Bambaataa is alleged to have sold a 12-year-old for money to adult men to take advantage of. He has not defended himself, so Flex and Hot 97 cannot protect him.” The group is seeking an apology from the DJ and the station in addition to “a substantial fine for disinformation.” While recently published photo of Savage and Bambaataa together suggests the two have settled their differences, an accuser known only as John Doe is currently awaiting a default judgment in a civil case from 2021 accusing him of sex trafficking. Afrika Bambaataa is denying all of the allegations that have been made against him. Funkmaster Flex and Hot 97 have not responded to requests for comment about the complaint.