Bam brings the beats

Clubbers! Brace yourself for a night of beat bliss as top hip-hop DJ Afrika Bambaataa makes his Bangkok debut at Q Bar tomorrow night.

The club’s management is enthusiastic, saying this is definitely one of the most exciting and humbling bookings they’ve made to date. “Bam (as his fans know him) has done more to shape the sound of modern music than just about anyone else. His list of contributions to hip-hop and electronic music is staggering. Don’t miss this night with a living legend,” the team says.

Known and respected by far and large as godfather of hip-hop and father of electro funk sound, Afrika Bambaataa takes much credit for the early development of hip-hop throughout the 80’s. Through his co-opting of the street gang the Black Spades into the music and culture-oriented Zulu nation, he is responsible for spreading hip-hop culture throughout the world and is credited for coining the phrase “hip-hop”.

Not only has he developed hip-hop, Bam also created the electro funk sound. Due to his early use of drum machines and computer sounds, Bam was instrumental in changing the way R&B and other forms of black music were recorded. His creation of electro funk, beginning with his piece “Planet Rock”, helped fuel the development of other musical genres such as freestyle or Latin freestyle, Miami bass, house, hip house, electronic and early techno. He was the first to use a synthesiser on a hip-hop record and that led to the creation of the electro funk sound.

Much of his recognition comes from his group Zulu Nation. Five b-boy dancers joined him and his called them the Shaka Zulu Kings. There were also the Shaka Zulu Queens. As Bam continued deejaying, more DJs, rappers, break dancers, graffiti writers and artists followed his parties, and he look them under his wing and made them members of his Zulu Nation.

In 1990, Bam made it into Life magazine’s “Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” issue. He was honoured as the very first artist to be presented with the Billboard Founders of Hip-Hop Award in Miami in 2005. In 2007, Bam was nominated for induction to the prestigious Rock n Roll Hall of Fame along with the Beastie Boys and Madonna. 

Bam continues releasing more good music each year, keeping the true essence of hip-hop culture alive and kicking with his philosophy of diversity through unity both musically and spiritually. So far he has created more than 20 studio albums and remix CDs. His notable hits include “Zulu Nation Throwdown”, “Planet Rock”, “Renegades of Funk”, “Wild Style”, “Unity”, “Zulu War Chant”, “Afrika Shox” and many others.

 

A big Bam

>> Afrika Bambaataa performs at Q Bar on Sukhumvit Soi 11 tomorrow. Entry with two drinks is Bt800.

>> Call (02) 252 3274; www.QBarBangkok.com