Afrika Bambaataa and Marchitect

The Universal Zulu Nation is celebrating 38 years of existence, and the spreading of Hip-Hop culture to the global phenomenon that it is today. Yaheard.com caught up with The Zulu Nation at the Yotel in midtown Manhattan on November 11, 2011. Artists like Kool Keith, Talib Kweli, D Nice, Grand Master Dee (Whodini) Marc Live, Afrika Bambaata, Q-Tip and many more all came together under one roof, to honor the Zulu Nation and its successes in taking Hip-Hop from the Bronx, and transforming it into a world wide phenomenon. Djays, like Jazzy Jay, Hektek and Q-Tip, kept the New York crowd on the dance floor into the wee hours of the morning, as B-Boys from as far away as Japan and France, showed off their foot work and pop locking skills.

The Zulu Nation was formed by Afrika Bambaataa the former leader of the infamous Black Spades street gang, as an alternative to violence in the desolate streets of The  Bronx. These same streets were toured by then president Jimmy Carter, as he vowed to give federal aid to New York City’s roughest Ghetto. Block after block of burnt down tenement slums were the backdrop to the birth of the Hip-Hop culture. This was a far cry, from the commercial image associated with Hip-Hop Today. Every year, the Zulu Nation comes together and the public is able to party side by side with the founders and creators of the Hip-Hop movement and culture. It’s a joyous occasion of Peace Love and Unity.

Check out Footage of Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, getting the party going, and paying homage to Afrika Bambaataa and the Universal Zulu Nation. Shout out to Dj Mech!