Afrika Bambaataa
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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.
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Afrika Bambaataa was accused by several individuals of sexual abuse, leading to his ouster from the Universal Zulu Nation. A John Doe filed a request for a motion for a default judgment late last month in connection to a previous lawsuit claiming that the Hip-Hop pioneer abused him.
All Hip Hop obtained documents filed by the attorneys for John Doe on March 28, citing that it was the third such request for the motion for a default judgment. The request was sent to Judge Alexander Tisch, who is overseeing the civil case.
From All Hip Hop:
“This firm represents Plaintiff in the above-referenced matter,” John Doe’s lawyers wrote. “Plaintiff filed a Motion for Default Judgment (motion sequence #3) against Def. Taylor on August 1, 2022. Plaintiff is once again respectfully inquiring as to when the Court will issue a decision and Order.”
John Doe accused Bambaataa, whose real name is Lance Taylor, of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking in a 2021 lawsuit. The alleged victim said he was only 12 years old when the abuse began.
“From 1991 to 1995, Plaintiff was invited to Defendant’s apartment, located in the BRH, where he was repeatedly subjected to sexual abuse consisting of mutual masturbation and sodomy,” John Doe’s lawyers wrote. “During the same time period, Plaintiff was transported by Defendant Taylor, to other locations and offered for sex to other adult men in exchange for money. Defendant Taylor, intentional sexual assault of Plaintiff was for his own sexual gratification and without regard for the Plaintiff’s well-being. Defendant Taylor, performed the aforementioned actions for his own sexual gratification and without Plaintiff’s consent.”
Afrika Bambaataa denied any wrongdoing initially in 2016 and has since maintained his innocence. Several individuals aligned with Bambaataa stood in defense of the former Universal Zulu Nation leader despite the criticism they endured for doing so.
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Photo: Getty
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