Trapped In A Culture - Leila Wills

Episode 7

The Grandmaster

Former International Spokesman TC Izlam has a very public falling out with Afrika Bambaataa and other members of the Zulu Nation. It is the last interview before he is murdered in Atlanta, three weeks after this interview. No one from the Zulu Nation is implicated in the crime.

Voices in Order of Appearance

TC Izlam, Former International Spokesman of the Universal Zulu Nation

Troi “Star” Torrain, Broadcast Journalist

Brother Shep, Universal Zulu Nation

Host

Leila Wills

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Afrika Bambaataa is accused of transporting minors across state lines for sexual purposes. Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation enjoy honors from other artists while child sexual abuse and statutory rape allegations inspire activism.

Voices in Order of Appearance

• Rommell Washington, Psychotherapist from the New York Crime Victim Treatment Center
• Hassan Campbell, Alleges he was abused by Bambaataa beginning at 12 years old, Bambaataa would have been 32
• Ronald Savage, Alleges he was abused by Bambaataa at the age of 15, Bambaataa would have been 27
• Troi “Star” Torrain, Broadcast Journalist
• Number 5, Alleges he was sexually abused by Bambaataa around the age of 15, Bambaataa would have been 26
• Number 4, Alleges he was sexually abused by Bambaataa at 13, Bambaataa would have been 20
• EJay, Alleges he was sexually abused by Bambaataa beginning at the age of nine, Bambaataa would have been 23
• Professor Marci Hamilton, Founder of CHILD USAdvocacy
• Jules “Half Pint” Jackson, Bronx River Housing
• Lord Cashus D, Fifth Universal of the Zulu Nation

Song Clips

• James Brown & Afrika Bambaataa
• A Tribe Called Quest
• Brand Nubian
• LL Cool J
• The Roots
• Ghostface Killah
• Tee Grizzly featuring Chance the Rapper

Party Clips

• Zulu Nation Anniversary in 1981
• DJ Chuck Chillout from the Music Box
• Billy “Amid” Henderson, Bambaataa’s longtime roommate
• DJ Jazzy Jay
• DJ Red Alert

Associate Producer for Some of the Interviews

Lance Shabazz

Host

Leila Wills

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Afrika Bambaataa infuses the Zulu Nation with the teachings of cult leader and convicted child rapist Malachi York. Other men in the Zulu Nation are accused of participating in pedophilia and statutory rape.

Voices in Order of Appearance

• Malachi York, Leader of the Nuwabians
• Brother Malik, Former Spokesman of the Zulu Nation
• Arthur Muhammad, Minister in the Nation of Islam
• Ali Muhammad, Human Rights Activist
• Grandmaster TC Izlam, Former International Spokesman of the Zulu Nation
• Lord Shariyf, Former Bodyguard to Afrika Bambaataa
• Hassan “Poppy” Campbell, alleges he was sexually abused by Bambaataa at 12 years old, Bambaataa would have been 32
• Rob “El One” Rodriguez, Former Chapter Leader of the Zulu Nation
• Professor Marci Hamilton, Founder of CHILDUSA
• Dave Wedge, Journalist for Vice Magazine
• Ice Cube at a Zulu Nation Anniversary
• Number 4, alleges he was 13 years old when Bambaataa abused him, Bambaataa would have been 20
• Number 5, alleges he was around 15 when Bambaataa began abusing him, Bambaataa would have been 36
• Ronald Savage, alleges he was around 15 years old when Bambaataa began abusing him, Bambaataa would have been around 27
• Jules Jackson, from Bronx River Projects, alleges he was 12 years old when Bambaataa acted sexually inappropriate with him
• Rick Alan Ross, the Cult Education Institute
• Rommell Washington, Psychotherapist at the New York Crime Victim Treatment Center
• Lord Cashus D, Fifth Universal of the Zulu Nation
• Troi “Star” Torrain, Broadcast Journalist

Associate Producer for Some of the Interviews
Lance Shabazz

Host
Leila Wills

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The foundation of the Zulu Nation changes when Afrika Bambaataa becomes a student of cult leader and convicted child rapist Malachi York. Bambaataa morphs into the Amen Ra (God) of Hip Hop Culture.

Voices in Order of Appearance

• Ali Muhammad, Human Rights Activist
• Malachi York, Leader of the Nuwabians
• Chuck Morgan, nuwapianism dot com
• Lord Shariyf, Former Bodyguard to Afrika Bambaataa
• Afrika Bambaataa, Former Leader of the Zulu Nation
• TC Izlam, Former International Spokesman of the Zulu Nation
• Judge William Pryor, Georgia State Judge
• Rick Alan Ross, The Cult Education Institute
• Rob “El One” Rodriguez, Former member of the Zulu Nation
• Brother Malik, Former member of the Zulu Nation

Host: Leila Wills

Special Thank You: Chuck Morgan for additional research

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Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation inspire the next generation of hip hop artists. Bambaataa borrows from the 5% Nation and forges connections with Khallid Muhammad of the Nation of Islam and Malachi York, leader of the Nuwabians.

*The 5% Nation is the Nation of Gods and Earths.

Voices in Order of Appearance

• Daddy O, Stetsasonic
• Lord Jamar, Brand Nubian
• Chuck D, Public Enemy
• Dave Wedge, Journalist
• Troi “Star” Torrain, Broadcast Journalist
• Lord Shariyf, Bodyguard to Afrika Bambaataa
• Grandmaster TC Izlam, Former International Spokesman of the Zulu Nation
• Ali Muhammad, Human Rights Activist
• Rick Alan Ross, The Cult Education Institute
• Chuck Morgan, Nuwapianism dot com

Host: Leila Wills

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Hip-Hop explodes into the mainstream. The Zulu Nation’s Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force drop the hit record Planet Rock. Bambaataa also spends time with underage boys.

Voices in Order of Appearance:

• Kool DJ Dee, President of the First Division, First Chapter of the Black Spades
• Tyrone the Mixologist
• Chuck D, Public Enemy
• Daddy O, Stetsasonic
• Lord Jamar, Brand Nubian
• Afrika Islam, Zulu Kings
• Michael O’Keeffe, Journalist
• Troi “Star” Torrain, Broadcast Journalist
• Lord Shariyf, Bodyguard to Afrika Bambaataa
• Ronald Savage, met Bambaataa around 1979
• Number 4, met Bambaataa around 1977
• Number 5, met Bambaataa around 1982
• EJay, met Bambaataa around 1980

Host: Leila Wills

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A look at the socioeconomic conditions when Afrika Bambaataa becomes a Black Spade and then a DJ. He meets three boys in 1977, 1979, and 1980.  They would later accuse him of sexual abuse.

Voices in Order of Appearance:

• Chuck D, Public Enemy
• Daddy O, Stetsasonic
• Lord Jamar, Brand Nubian
• President Richard Nixon
• Aton Edwards, International Preparedness Network
• Kool DJ Dee, President of the First Division, First Chapter of the Black Spades
• Tyrone the Mixologist
• Lord Shariyf, Bodyguard to Afrika Bambaataa
• Number 4, met Bambaataa around 1977
• Ronald Savage, met Bambaataa around 1979
• EJay, met Bambaataa around 1980

Host:

• Leila Wills

Support the show

The foundation of hip hop is shattered when pioneer Afrika Bambaataa and his Universal Zulu Nation are accused of child sexual abuse and statutory rape by several men.

Support the show