Afrika
Bambaataa
, who was commissioned by Nike todo the Emmy Award nominated "Freestyle" basketball
piece has been keeping busy. Bam’s group, Hydraulic
Funk which includes Steven "Boogie" Brown
and Fred Fowler, also did a spot for Reebok which features
MVP Allen Iverson.
After the
enormous success of the "Freestyle" piece,
Hydraulic Funk is working on a remixed break-beat version
of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Flashlight",
a remake of George Clinton’s Parliament smash hit. Hydraulic
Funk also has a track featured on the soundtrack to
the forthcoming film, "King of The Jungle"
starring John Leguizamo and Rosie Perez.
Bam himself
just finished the touring, celebrating Tommy Boy’s 20th
anniversary in Europe. That tour featured Maseo of De
La Soul, Prince Paul, Arthur Baker, Dan The Automator,Tony
Touch, and Angie Martinez. Bambaataa is also lending
a hand to victims of the 9-11 tragedy, appearing on
the forthcoming benefit record "We Are Family,"
which features Diana Ross, Sister Sledge and fellow
pioneers Run-DMC. Bambaataa continues to deejay at raves
and clubs throughout USA and the world, having recently
deejayed for over a million people at Germany’s Love
Parade in July along with Afrika Islam and Germany’s
WestBam.
Bambaataa’s
Universal Zulu Nation is preparing for the 27th anniversary
of Hip-Hop with a celebration in November. November
2001 will also be the worldwide inaugural launch of
"Hip-Hop History Month."