Africa Bambaataa has passed away aged 67.
A pioneer of hip hop music, Bambaataa was a true renegade of funk and a founder of the influential Universal Zulu Nation. His single Planet Rock is instantly recognisable to fans of the genre.
Bambaata was also alleged to be a notorious pdf file with accounts of his abuse of young men said to be an open secret within the scene at the time.
Bambaata and his Soul Sonic Force crew cameo in Beat Street, a Harry Belafonte produced exploration of the burgeoning Hip Hop movement in NYC in the early 80s.
Double K (Guy Davis) is an aspiring MC and Deejay. Tracy (Rae Dawn Chong) is a composer at a dance academy. Ramo (John Chardiet) is a graffiti artist. Lee (Robert Taylor) is Double K’s breakdancing little brother. The film charts the trials and tribulations of this group on the fringe of the scene as they attempt to reach their dreams. Along with Bambaata the film features cameos and performances from many hip hop luminaries include Grandmaster Melle Mel and The Furious Five, The Treacherous Three with Doug E Fresh and DJ Kool Herc.
Beat Street is an odd mix, at times up beat and at other times quite sombre, particularly in its third act. The locations, fashion and lingo all feel quite authentic for the time and placen of origin (says the white boy from the middle of Australia) and the break dance scenes in particular featuring the New York City Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew are next level as are Rae Dawn Chong’s leopard print stockings.
Africa Bambaataa has passed away aged 67.
A pioneer of hip hop music, Bambaataa was a true renegade of funk and a founder of the influential Universal Zulu Nation. His single Planet Rock is instantly recognisable to fans of the genre.
Bambaata was also alleged to be a notorious pdf file with accounts of his abuse of young men said to be an open secret within the scene at the time.
Bambaata and his Soul Sonic Force crew cameo in Beat Street, a Harry Belafonte produced exploration of the burgeoning Hip Hop movement in NYC in the early 80s.
Double K (Guy Davis) is an aspiring MC and Deejay. Tracy (Rae Dawn Chong) is a composer at a dance academy. Ramo (John Chardiet) is a graffiti artist. Lee (Robert Taylor) is Double K’s breakdancing little brother. The film charts the trials and tribulations of this group on the fringe of the scene as they attempt to reach their dreams. Along with Bambaata the film features cameos and performances from many hip hop luminaries include Grandmaster Melle Mel and The Furious Five, The Treacherous Three with Doug E Fresh and DJ Kool Herc.
Beat Street is an odd mix, at times up beat and at other times quite sombre, particularly in its third act. The locations, fashion and lingo all feel quite authentic for the time and placen of origin (says the white boy from the middle of Australia) and the break dance scenes in particular featuring the New York City Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew are next level as are Rae Dawn Chong’s leopard print stockings.
