Zulu Nation Pendant Formerly Owned by Afrika Bambaataa

This pendant displays the name of the Zulu Nation, which was founded by hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa in the early 1970s from members of his South Bronx, New York, street gang, the Black Spades. The pendant, which was worn by Afrika Bambaataa, symbolled the mission and vision of The Zulu Nation.

Emerging in the early 1970s, the Zulu Nation was a community conscious hip-hop organization composed of DJs, MCs, graffiti artists, and break-dancers who established the early culture of hip-hop. Composed of local Bronx gang members from the Black Spades, the Zulu Nation used the elements of hip-hop to advocate for education, Black unity, peace, love, and upward mobility.

Inspired by the movie Zulu (1964), the teachings of Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam, Afrika Bambaataa created the Zulu Nation to fight against gun violence, drug abuse, and gang rivalry in the Bronx community to transform New York’s gang culture to a higher level of self-consciousness, creativity, and freedom. Growing into an international organization, the Universal Zulu Nation celebrated and believed in Black solidarity and accepting people for who they area which was reflected in their clothing, message, and style.