Cyrus Langhorne
Former Zulu Nation spokesman T.C. Izlam has come forward to speak out on sexual assault allegations against Afrika Bambaataa.
While he could not confirm Bambaataa being an alleged sexual assault predator, Izlam did say he believes the hip-hop mogul is gay.
“The universal Zulu Nation is entirely separate from Bambaataa’s life and this is what I mean by the fan club,” T.C. said in an interview with hip-hop personality Star. “I’m in hiding until he makes the statement to the world. I was told by the other founders – he will be releasing a statement between the 19th and the 21st and I’m just being safe and hiding out because these people are really diehard, devoted Bambaataa fans. … I text him but his phone is off. The truth is this, him getting stabbed is is the truth. As far as me knowing any sex act going on, I don’t know about that as a fact. When I showed up to the hospital they said he was basically in surgery for a knife wound and then it was like other circumstances are arising – like, this is some cover-up sh*t. … Me, due to all the rumors and the connecting the dots, my personal opinion as Grandmaster T.C. Izlam, the fourth son of Afrika Bambaataa, I would basically assume that he is gay. I’ve never seen any type of gayness around him. I have tons of gay friends and transgender friends. I’ve never seen any of that. Personally to me, I would consider Afrika Bambaataa one of my gay friends.” (“Shot 97”)
39-year-old alleged victim Hassan Campbell spoke out against Afrika last week.
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)
Last week, 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)
