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Oral History Interview with Afrika Bambaata and Alien Ness in the Sound & Vision Theater, Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle, WA, October 29, 2000

Interviewee Afrika Bambaataa
Interviewee Alien Ness
Interviewer Jim Fricke
Subject Rock Steady Crew
Subject Zulu Nation
Date2000
Credit LineMoPOP permanent collection
Object number2000.576.1
Text Entries

Alien Ness (Luis Roberto Martinez Jr. B. unknown), is a world-renowned b-boy who has earned praise and recognition from prominent breakers across several generations. Kid Ness was a nickname passed down to him by Mr. Ness of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Alien Ness earned himself mentorship from many conic dancers of the early Hip-Hop era along with Buck4 and Mr. Freeze of the Rock Steady Crew, as well as first-generation B-Boy pioneers such as Fantasy Fast of Ready to Rock, and Trac2 of the famed Starchild-La-Rock.

Leader of the Zulu Nation and known as one of the “Godfathers of Hip-Hop,” Afrika Bambaataa (Lance Taylor, b. 1957) is a DJ, producer, rapper, and songwriter from the Southeast Bronx. As a former gang member, Afrika Bambaataa began DJing at local parties in the early 1970s, playing Funk and Disco records. He stood out as a unique and eclectic DJ because he would play records across different genres like Rock, Pop, Salsa, African, and Latin. Afrika Bambaataa also established two Rap crews: the Jazzy 5 and the Soul Sonic Force. Afrika Bambaataa has crafted the foundation of Hip-Hop by establishing the five elements or five pillars: DJing, MCing, b-boying, graffiti, and knowledge. Afrika Bambaataa’s impact on Hip-Hop culture has defined the genre as a staple of creativity and expression emerging out of the Bronx.

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On View
Not on view
Low res. jpg. image- NOT publication quality
Dr. Dre (West Coast)
Date: 1999
Object number: 1999.959.1
Afrika Bambaataa at Rok Theater, Seattle, WA, January 18, 1990
Afrika Bambaataa
Date: c. 1985
Medium: ink; paper (fiber product)
Object number: 1995.91.1672
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