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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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It seems Hot 97 is looking to switch up their programming. The legendary radio station is reportedly giving Nessa’s afternoon slot to Funk Flex.
Page Six is reporting that the broadcasting company will be making some changes to their daily schedule. The celebrity news site says that two of their biggest names will be doing a switch. According to one of their unnamed sources, Funk Flex will soon be manning the station’s famed 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. slot. This drive time spot is currently held by Nessa, who is reportedly “upset” on how the move was handled. “Hot 97 executives didn’t even respect her enough to call her directly about the changes, but informed her team of the change, leaving Nessa feeling blindsided,” the source said.
“Nessa has accomplished a lot [broadcasting] so to move her to nights is not only disrespectful but it would totally interrupt spending time with her child,” the insider added. “She is really upset about the time switch and is looking into ways to keeping her schedule as is after all it is what she signed up for.” After Angie Martinez announced her departure in 2014, Nessa was announced as her replacement in 2015. According to Nielsen, Nessa On Air is ranked No. 1 within the 18-34 age group.
As expected, the news of the switch landed on Flex’s radar. He took to Instagram to dismiss the hearsay.
“@NYPOST WOAH? THAT INFO AINT 100 PERCENT ACCURATE? 😂😂😂😂😂😂! UMMMMMM? ME AND NESSA ROLLING TOGETHER! COULD IT BE THAT SOMEONE ELSE IS TIGHT? (YOU THINK WE DONT SEE U?) he wrote. Additionally, the famed DJ shared a video of him and Nessa having lunch with the rest of the staff.
Hot 97 has yet to formally address the speculation.
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