Afrika Bambaattaa broke his silence on claims that he sexually abused a now 50-year-old man when the accuser was a teenager. In a statement released to Rolling Stone, the 58-year-old Hip-Hop pioneer denies what he calls a “negligent attack” and attempt to smear his legacy.
“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,” he says “These allegations are baseless and are a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in Hip-Hop at this time.”
Bambaataa adds, “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.”
Ronald Savage, came forward with molestation accusations during a radio interview, and later with the New York Daily News. He claims to have been a junior member of the International Zulu Nation, founded by Bambaataa.
Savage says the abuse began when he was 13, and Bambaataa was in his early ’20s.
—
Photo: WENN
