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Universal Hip Hop Museum Under Protest For Ties to Afrika Bambaataa

Universal Hip-Hop Museum Under Protest
The facade of Universal Hip-Hop Museum. Image source: Universal Hip-Hop Museum.

Mar 25, 2023, The Hip Hop Stand With Survivors Group publicly announced that the Universal Hip Hop Museum would be under protest because of purported connections to Afrika Bambaataa and the Universal Zulu Nation.

Universal Hip Hop Museum: The Issue

The Hip Hop Stands with Survivors group alleges Afrika Bambaataa has exerted undue influence on the director of UHHM. As a measure of support for their claims, the group submitted a 30-page report detailing their allegations. As a result of inaction, the collective has announced that they are no longer standing on the sidelines. They plan to kick things up a notch.

What Are The Demands?

In addition to demanding the release of the UHHM’s director, they also request the organization no longer receive taxpayer donations. As a source notes,

“Hip Hop Stands With Survivors is demanding the UHHM executive director Rocky Bucano resign and the termination of taxpayer funding for UHMM, which has received almost $30 million in public funding.”

What Are The Claims?

Hip Hop Stands with Survivors base their argument on allegations that Afrika Bambaataa has engaged in pedophilia. A lawsuit was filed against Afrika Bambaataa in 2021 for alleged sexual assault and trafficking with a minor that took place in the 1990s, according to the filer. According to a September 2021 article in Rolling Stone, the filing read,

“from 1991, when the Plaintiff was merely 12 years old, to 1995, the Plaintiff was repeatedly sexually abused and sex trafficked at the hands of,” Bambaataa, referred to in the lawsuit by his birth name Lance Taylor.”

And interestingly, Afrika Bambaataa was only one entity mentioned in the filings. RollingStone noted that Zulu Nation, Universal Zulu Nation, and XYZ Corp were also listed.

Zulu Nation Claims: Not A Party To This

However, according to earlier reports, the other entities cut ties with Afrika Bambaataa in 2016 because of similar allegations. Also, in 2021, The Source ran an article that included a formal statement by the Zulu nation, indicating the dissolution of their ties with Bambaataa. However, as of now, it is still unclear whether the charges and allegations against Baambataa have been resolved. Thus, the case is ongoing.

Pressing Forward

Given the strength of the allegations against Bambaataa, the collective Hip hop Stands with Survivors asserts that any ties with Afrika Bambaataa or the Zulu nation send the wrong message. And according to a source,

“Critics argue that this decision puts children at risk and perpetuates a culture of silence.”

Universal Hip Hop Museum: Current Statement

According to a source, The UHMM explained,

“The Universal Hip Hop Museum has no corporate or organizational relationships with organizations with ‘Universal’ in their names.”

But Hip Hop Stands with Survivors contends no response has been given concerning the submitted report. Because of the current stasis and lack of progress, the collective plans to boycott the museum on Mar 27, 2023.

Universal Hip Hop Museum: History Of Chaos

The Universal Hip Hop Museum is the first of its kind, standing as a monument to the birth, development, and growth of Hip-Hop. Since the mere mention of the museum’s construction, there has been a significant amount of controversy. This is despite its significance as a one-of-a-kind monument to the culture. In 2006, BBC covered dissenting opinions regarding the UHMM’s proposed content offering. BBC reported,

” defining what kind of hip-hop the museum would represent was already a political issue. Leaders in the Bronx desired to distance themselves from modern-day hip-hop culture, which they say has become tarnished by turf wars and lyrics promoting misogyny and violence.”

And in 2010, KRS-One went on record regarding their decision to protest the erection of the museum. However, the museum became a reality. Now it is 2023, and there’s yet another protest.

Conclusion

There is a lot to resolve. And hopefully, the resolution will be swift and earnest. Unfortunately, even the purest resources can be tainted when the human element plays a role. The fact that the culture stands to lose makes this even more of a travesty. Fingers crossed that all turns out well.

Written by Renae Richardson

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Universal Hip Hop Museum Introduce The ‘Hip Hop Roadshow Los Angeles’

Image Source: S9 Architecture
Image Source: S9 Architecture

Today, June 3rd, the Universal Hip Hop Museum reveals hosting plans for the “Hip Hop Roadshow” event taking place in Los Angeles this month. This industry-exclusive gathering will be a kickstart to the BET Weekend that Friday, June 23rd from 7-10 pm EST. It will take place at the Petersen Automotive Museum & will embrace the West Coast’s impact on the genre. Eazy E, Ruthless Records, Death Row Records, Kid Frost, DJ Battle Cat, Yo-Yo, Spice 1, and Arabian Prince are expecting to earn awards that night. There’ll also be tons of other West coast related programs.

Image Source: Universal Hip Hop Museum Logo
Image Source: Universal Hip Hop Museum Logo

 

The Current Status Of Museum Construction

In real time, the Universal Hip Hop Museum is still being developed in Bronx Point, New York. It’s set to be officially open for the public in 2024 & is receiving tons of support from New York City. The museum’s executive director Rocky Bucano shared this with CBS News, “We’re building a unique kind of museum experience. We’re not building the old traditional museum where you’re going to see a bunch of stuff on the wall and you know, looks like old dinosaurs.” Construction of the Universal Hip Hop Museum began around February last year. Check out the Instagram post below highlighting the beginning stages of the project:

 

Will You Visit The Universal Hip Hop Museum In 2024?

While 2 years seems pretty far away, time flies by fast these days. The Universal is sure to generate tons of jobs & revenue, but also broaden the genre to even more people. As the dominant music genre in today’s market, it’s about time we have staples that preserve Hip-Hop’s culture & history forever. Would you travel from your hometown to get an experience in one of Rap’s greatest developments? Read more of FM Hip-Hop’s featured articles today.

 

Written by: Oryah Brown | Instagram: @oryah.wav

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Microsoft to donate $5 million dollars to The Universal Hip Hop Museum in South Bronx.

Microsoft, the tech giant, shows its support of the Hip Hop community with a $5 million contribution.

And although the supportive endeavor may seem shocking, it is not. This contribution merely aligns with Microsoft’s mission to empower and enrich lives through innovation and technology. And, this is not the first time they are partnering with “The Universal Hip Hop Museum.” The company was also a collaborative partner and co-host for UHMM’s “envisioning session.”

Refreshingly, the corporation is not holding back their support. Microsoft demonstrates that they are there to use available resources to celebrate and uplift hip-hop culture. Microsoft President Brad Smith had this to say,

“Since Hip-Hop’s  inception in the Bronx almost fifty years ago, innovators were harnessing creativity and technology to evolve and grow Hip Hop into one of today’s most celebrated musical, artistic, and cultural influences, the company takes pride in doing its part in bringing this project to life.”

Museums are love letters from the past.

Museums remind us that we are not here by chance. Instead, we stand on the shoulders of those before us. And ongoing community support and the contributions of other corporations like “Microsoft” establish the permanence of our achievements. Structures such as the UHMM shout to the world we are here and we are not going anywhere!

“The Universal Hip Hop Museum” will provide an essential resource to the Hip-Hop community. Because, well, culture is the fingerprint of a people. Values are a part of our distinct identity. “The Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHMM)  in the Bronx revels and preserves the history of local and global hip-hop music and culture to inspire, empower, and promote understanding…And, there is nothing more important than preserving culture. One will never get to where they are going if they don’t know where they came from. And astoundingly, this excellent gift showcases and celebrates Hip-Hop culture from its infancy to its unfolding as a global force.

The anticipation of  The Universal Hip Hop Museum is real!

Oh my, it’s not often that the heart of a culture is celebrated where it all began. But this will be the case for “The Universal Hip Hop Museum.” The UHMM will find its location in none other than the “Boogie Down” Bronx. Reports indicate that construction crews are to arrive this week on exterior street and 149th street to start on the development.

Assuredly, we can expect nothing but great things from this passionate, collaborative project. Mad applause goes to Kurtis Blow, Ice-T, LL Cool J, and other Hip-Hop greats who came together to make this historical feat a reality.

However, amidst anticipation, some reports are indicating a 2023 opening while others say 2024. Either way, it’s quite a ways off.  But, you know the saying, “Good things come to those who wait?” This particular wait is more than worth it.

However, until then here is a bit of fantastic news! The public can catch pop-up exhibition Revolution of Hip-Hop near the projected site in the interim.