Cyrus Langhorne
Hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa is not faltering from his stance amid handfuls of sexual assault allegations being thrown his way over the past month.
In a new interview with hip-hop personalities Ed Lover and Monie Love, Afrika questioned the real reasoning behind the graphic accusations.
“Peace. Peace and love to you, brother Ed and to the queen Monie Love. I definitely say this is false allegations that’s being put against me and a lot of lies. It could be me today and you tomorrow. I completely deny all types of accusations that’s being put against your brother Afrika Bambaataa. You have to ask the question, ‘Why now? What is the hidden agenda behind this?’ Is it because I’m still relevant today trying to help people across the world? Trying to start a hip-hop museum? … That’s been my life. Stopping violence and helping so many people all over the place. … My record speaks for itself.” (“The Ed Lover Show”)
39-year-old alleged victim Hassan Campbell spoke out against Afrika a couple weeks ago.
It was the worst place to be because Bambaataa sexually abused him numerous times when he was 12 and 13 years old, Campbell told the Daily News. “He is a pervert,” Campbell added. “He likes little boys.” The men stepped forward after The News published a story last Sunday about former music industry executive and Democratic Party activist Ronald Savage, who claims Bambaataa abused him at least five times in 1980, inflicting deep emotional wounds. (NY Daily News)
Earlier this month, Bambaataa spoke out against sexual abuse claims from former politician Ronald Savage.
“I, Afrika Bambaataa, want to take this opportunity at the advice of my legal counsel to personally deny any and all allegations of any type of sexual molestation of anyone,” Bambaataa says in a statement to Rolling Stone. “These allegations are baseless and are a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in hip-hop at this time. This negligent attack on my character will not stop me from continuing my battle and standing up against the violence in our communities, the violence in the nation and the violence worldwide.” (Rolling Stone)
Savage provided more context on the alleged sexual attacks.
“I want him to know how much he damaged me growing up,” Savage said in a new interview. “I was just a child. Why did he take my innocence away? Why did he do this to me?” Bambaataa abused him at least five times, Savage says, but he did not go to the police or tell anybody else, although he says that years later, he did confide in his mother, ex-wife and several former girlfriends. (NY Daily News)
