" LMK " ( initialism for " Let Me Know ") is a song by American singer and songwriter Kelela . It was released on August 1, 2017 through Warp Records as the lead single from her debut studio album, Take Me Apart (2017).
74-452: "LMK" is an electro - R&B track which revolves around "a wobbly, three-note synth-bass" with Kelela singing about a "potential one-night-stand ." The bass-heavy and industrial production was handled by Jam City . Briana Younger of Pitchfork noted that Jam City's "pristine soundscape, while more minimal than what Kelela usually sings over, complements her well with its blend of space-age clubbiness and sultry R&B. It makes for what
148-691: A 2016 profile on the genre's rise in Denver's music scene, Dylan Owens of The Denver Post writes, "As with all fledgling genres, little about electro-soul is defined — even what to call it. (Of the eight artists interviewed for this article, none agreed on any one name.) But what does seem sure is its rise, especially locally. If Denver can be known as the musical torchbearer of any genre, it's electro-soul's half-live, half-produced swirl of hip-hop, soul, funk and jazz." " No Self Control " by Peter Gabriel , taken from his 1980 self-titled album , has been described as electro-soul, fused with art rock . Although
222-609: A DJ battle. He then began performing at Adlai E. Stevenson High School and formed the Bronx River Organization, then later simply "The Organization". Bambaataa had deejayed with his own sound system at The Bronx River Houses ' Community Center, with Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, and Cowboy, who accompanied him in performances in the community. Because of his prior status in the Black Spades, he already had an established Army party crowd drawn from former members of
296-784: A common phrase used by MCs as part of a scat -inspired style of rhyming. The term was first used in print to refer to the music by reporter Robert Flipping, Jr. in a February 1979 article in the New Pittsburgh Courier, and to refer to the culture in a January 1982 interview of Afrika Bambaataa by Michael Holman in the East Village Eye. The term gained further currency in September of that year in another Bambaataa interview in The Village Voice, by Steven Hager . In 1982, Bambaataa and his followers –
370-507: A few other works with Family three years earlier, one titled "Funk You" in 1985, and the other titled "Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere)" in 1986. In 1986 he discovered an artist in Atlanta . (Through MC SHY D) by the name of Kenya Miler a.k.a. MC Harmony (Known producer now as Kenya Fame Flames Miller), that was later signed to Criminal Records and Arthur Baker. The group was Harmony and LG. The first single, 1987's "Dance To The Drums/No Joke",
444-626: A fusion of different styles, including funk , boogie combined with German and Japanese technopop , in addition to influences from the futurism of Alvin Toffler , martial arts films , and video game music . The genre's immediate forebears included Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). In 1980, YMO was the first band to utilize the TR-808 programmable drum machine. That same year, YMO member Ryuichi Sakamoto released "Riot in Lagos", which
518-470: A group of dancers, artists, and DJs – went outside the United States on the first hip-hop tour. He saw that the hip hop tours would be the key to help expand hip hop and his Universal Zulu Nation. In addition it would help promote the values of hip hop that he believed are based on peace, unity, love, and having fun. He brought peace to the gangs; many artists and gang members say that "hip hop saved
592-554: A live band, and began to use only technology. Bambaataa credited the pioneering Japanese electropop group Yellow Magic Orchestra , whose work he sampled, as an inspiration. He also borrowed a keyboard hook from German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk and was provided the electronic Roland TR-808 "beat-box" by producer Arthur Baker and synthesizer player John Robie . That resulted in " Planet Rock ", which went to gold status and generated an entire school of "electro-boogie" rap and dance music. Bambaataa formed his own label to release
666-415: A live drummer. The definition however is somewhat ambiguous in nature due to the various uses of the term. The Roland TR-808 drum machine was released in 1980, defining early electro with its immediately recognizable sound. Staccato, percussive drumbeats tended to dominate electro, almost exclusively provided by the TR-808. As an inexpensive way of producing a drum sound, the TR-808 caught on quickly with
740-649: A lot of lives". His influence inspired many overseas artists like the French rapper MC Solaar . He was a popular DJ in the South Bronx rap scene and became known not only as Afrika Bambaataa but also as the "Master of Records". He established two rap crews: the Jazzy 5 including MCs Master Ice, Mr. Freeze, Master Bee, Master D.E.E, and AJ Les, and the second crew referred to as Soulsonic Force including Mr. Biggs, Pow Wow and Emcee G.L.O.B.E. In 1982, Bambaataa, who
814-556: A movement out of the creativity of a new generation of outcast youths with an authentic, liberating worldview. In 1981, hip hop artist Fab Five Freddy was putting together music packages in the largely white downtown Manhattan new wave clubs, and invited Bambaataa to perform at one of them, the Mudd Club . It was the first time Bambaataa had performed before a predominantly white crowd. Attendance for his parties downtown became so large that he had to move to larger venues, first to
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#1732783806481888-683: A pre- Def Jam Russell Simmons produced Bruce Haack 's proto hip-hop single "Party Machine" at a studio in Philadelphia. Electro hip hop releases in 1982 include songs by: Planet Patrol , Warp 9 , Man Parrish , George Clinton ( Computer Games ), Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five , Tyrone Brunson , The Jonzun Crew and Whodini . In 1983, Hashim created the influential electro funk tune " Al-Naafiysh (The Soul) " which became Cutting Record's first release in November 1983. At
962-450: A science-fiction revival.". Most electro is instrumental, but a common element is vocals processed through a vocoder . Additionally, speech synthesis may be used to create robotic or mechanical lyrical content, as in the iconic Planet Rock and the automatous chant in the chorus of Nunk by Warp 9 . Although primarily instrumental, early electro utilized rap. Male rap dominated the genre, however female rappers are an integral part of
1036-429: A six-piece Melbourne based electro/rock/reggae group was formed. The genre enjoyed a resurgence starting in 2016, with DJs like Helena Hauff and DJ Stingray gaining more popularity and festivals like Dekmantel featuring it prominently on their lineups. Labels like Cultivated Electronics, CPU, Mars Frequency Records, Furatena, brokntoys and Mechatronica are currently pushing a new trove of artists which has introduced
1110-468: A song called "Do Me Right", and on Mekon 's album Some Thing Came Up , on the track "D-Funktional". He performed the lyrics on the track "Is There Anybody Out There" by the Bassheads . As an actor, he has played a variety of voice-over character roles on Kung Faux . Bambaataa was a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers. On September 27, 2007, it
1184-439: A synth hook from Kraftwerk’s “ Trans-Europe Express ”, as well as electronic drum patterns from their track “Numbers,” Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock” not only became a massive commercial hit in clubs and dance floors everywhere, but also set the stage for the emergence of electro-funk as a distinct genre. Robert Keith Wiggins , a.k.a. "Cowboy" of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five , is credited with naming hip-hop. The term became
1258-580: A trip to Africa , his worldview shifted. He had seen the movie Zulu and was impressed with the solidarity exhibited by the Zulu in that film. During his trip to Africa, the communities he visited inspired him to create one in his own neighborhood. He changed his name to Afrika Bambaataa Aasim, adopting the name of the Zulu chief Bhambatha , who led an armed rebellion against unfair economic practices in early 20th-century South Africa. He told people that his name
1332-620: Is a genre of electronic dance music directly influenced by the use of the Roland TR-808 drum machines , with an immediate origin in early hip hop and funk genres. Records in the genre typically feature heavy electronic sounds, usually without vocals; if vocals are present, they are delivered in a deadpan manner, often through electronic distortion such as vocoding and talkboxing . It palpably deviates from its predecessor boogie by being less vocal-oriented and more focused on electronic beats produced by drum machines. Following
1406-458: Is a genre which developed in Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland , hence its first name "Scandinavian Funk". The outlets and artists of Skweee are still mostly limited to the Nordic countries. Starting in the late 1990s, the term "electro" is also used to refer two other fusion genres of electro, either blended with techno and new wave in electroclash . In 2006, Direct Influence ,
1480-423: Is essentially a grand unveiling featuring Kelela wearing different wigs and guises as she pushes through the club with her friends, ultimately revealing herself at the end of the video. The message of this video is empowerment: it's for the girls, for anyone whose heart has been trampled on and deserves to go out and feel good about themselves. It's a call to action, demanding to be taken and to be quick about it. This
1554-633: Is known for exploration of science fiction and aquatic themes. Electro music inspired by the electro revival in the UK during the mid 90's is often cited as neo electro, however it is simply a term and not a genre. In the early 1980s, Detroit techno DJ Eddie Fowlkes shaped a related style called electro-soul, which was characterized by a predominant bass line and a chopped up electro breakbeat contrasted with soulful male vocals. Kurtis Mantronik 's electro-soul productions for Joyce Sims presaged new jack swing 's combination of hip hop and soul elements. In
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#17327838064811628-494: Is one of the originators of breakbeat DJing . Through his co-opting of his street gang Black Spades into the music and culture-oriented organization Universal Zulu Nation , he has helped spread hip hop culture throughout the world. In May 2016, Bambaataa left his position as head of the "Universal Zulu Nation" due to multiple allegations of child sexual abuse dating as far back as the 1970s. Born Lance Taylor to Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, Bambaataa grew up in
1702-439: Is probably her most pop-accessible song to date, an empowered and liberating song that asserts not just a woman's agency, but also Kelela's power as an artist." "LMK" premiered on Zane Lowe 's Beats 1 show on August 1, 2017, and subsequently released for digital download and streaming. Kelela told The Fader that the song is "directed at a man who's being weird instead of being honest. Does casual have to be careless? Is wifey
1776-454: Is regarded as an early example of electro music, and is credited for having anticipated the beats and sounds of electro. The song's influence can be seen in the work of later pioneering electro artists such as Afrika Bambaataa and Mantronix . Electro experienced a watershed year in 1982. Bronx based producer Afrika Bambaataa released the seminal track " Planet Rock ", which contained elements of Kraftwerk's " Trans-Europe Express " (from
1850-463: Is the reason why we love Kelela - she's making herself vulnerable and kicking down doors in the process." A remix titled " LMK (What's Really Good) " featuring Princess Nokia , Junglepussy , Cupcakke and Ms. Boogie was released on September 12, 2018. It serves as the first single from the remix album Take Me a_Part, the Remixes (2018). Electro (music) Electro (or electro-funk )
1924-562: The Bronx River Projects , with an activist mother and uncle. As a child, he was exposed to the black liberation movement and witnessed debates between his mother and uncle regarding the conflicting ideologies in the movement. He was exposed to his mother's extensive and eclectic record collection. Gangs in the area became the law, clearing their turf of drug dealers, assisting with community health programs and both fighting and partying to keep members and turf. Bambaataa
1998-633: The Latin Freestyle (or simply "Freestyle") movement, along with Lotti Golden and Richard Scher (the producer/writers of Warp 9 ) fusing electro, funk, and hip hop with elements of Latin music. By the late 1980s, the genre evolved into what is known today as new school hip hop . The release of Run DMC 's It's Like That (1983) marked a stylistic shift, focusing down on the beats in a stark, metal minimalism. Rock samples replaced synthesizers that had figured so prominently in electro, and rap styles and techniques evolved in tandem, anchoring rap to
2072-610: The Rock Steady Crew , and the Double Dutch Girls, as well as graffiti artists Fab 5 Freddy , PHASE 2 , Futura 2000 , and Dondi . Bambaataa's second release around 1983 was " Looking for the Perfect Beat ", then later, " Renegades of Funk ", both with the same Soulsonic Force. He began working with producer Bill Laswell at Jean Karakos's Celluloid Records , where he developed and placed two groups on
2146-486: The Universal Zulu Nation . Inspired by hip-hop icons like DJ Kool Herc, Bambaataa began hosting block parties throughout the South Bronx, including at the Bronx River Organization. Bambaataa engaged primarily as a hip-hop artist. Due to his ties to organized crime, much of his early fan base was centered around the hip-hop movement , as Bambaataa established numerous rap groups including the “Jazzy 5” and
2220-427: The album of the same name ) and "Numbers" (from Kraftwerk's 1981 Computer World album) combined with the use of distinctive TR-808 beats. "Planet Rock" is widely regarded as a turning point in the electro genre, "like a light being switched on." Another groundbreaking record released that year, Nunk by Warp 9 utilized "imagery drawn from computer games and hip hop slanguage." Although remaining unreleased,
2294-592: The "MC popping" rap style), DJ Jazzy Jay , Cosmic Force, Queen Lisa Lee, Prince Ikey C, Ice Ice (#1), Chubby Chub; Jazzy Five -DJ Jazzy Jay, Mr. Freeze, Master D.E.E., Kool DJ Red Alert, Sundance, Ice Ice (#2), Charlie Choo, Master Bee, Busy Bee Starski, Akbar (Lil Starski), and Raheim . The personnel for the Soulsonic Force were groups within groups with whom he would perform and make records. In 1980, Bambaataa's groups made Death Mix , their first recording with Paul Winley Records . According to Bambaata, this
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2368-584: The 20th Century" issue. Gee Street Records, Bambaataa and John Baker organized a concert at Wembley Stadium in London in 1990 for the African National Congress (ANC), in honor of Nelson Mandela 's release from prison. The concert brought together performances by British and American rappers, and also introduced both Nelson and Winnie Mandela and the ANC to hip hop audiences. In relation to
2442-600: The 70s (and as early as the late 60s in Miles Davis’s case). Gary Numan. Man he was dope. So important to us. When we heard that single, "Are Friends Electric?" it was like the aliens had landed in the Bronx. We were just throwing shapes to this tune, man. More than Kraftwerk. Numan was the inspiration. He's a hero. Without him, there'd be no electro. Following the decline of disco music in the late 1970s, various funk artists such as Zapp began experimenting with talk boxes and
2516-788: The Ritz, in a show organized by hip hop pioneer, Michael Holman, with Malcolm McLaren 's group Bow Wow Wow , then to the Peppermint Lounge , The Jefferson, Negril, Danceteria and the Roxy . " Planet Rock ", a popular single produced by Arthur Baker and the keyboardist John Robie , came out that June under the name Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force . The song borrowed musical motifs from German electronic music , funk, and rock. Different elements and musical styles were used together. The song became an immediate hit and stormed
2590-761: The Time Zone Compilation. He created " turntablism " as its own subgenre and the ratification of " electronica " as an industry-certified trend in the late 1990s. In the late 1970s, Bambaataa formed what became known as the Universal Zulu Nation, a group of socially and politically aware rappers, B-boys , graffiti artists and other people involved in hip hop culture . By 1977, inspired by DJ Kool Herc and DJ Dee , and after Disco King Mario loaned him his first equipment, Bambaataa began organizing block parties all around The South Bronx. He even faced his long-time friend, Disco King Mario in
2664-555: The Universal Zulu Nation. A month later, The Universal Zulu Nation issued an open letter apologizing to the people alleging Bambaataa had sexually abused them while expressing responsibility for the organization's "poor response", signed by nearly three dozen members of the Zulu Nation, including leaders from as far as New Zealand. In October 2016, Vice published an investigative article titled "Afrika Bambaataa Allegedly Molested Young Men For Decades" and reported stories from
2738-669: The Zulu Kings, and later formed the Zulu Queens, and the Shaka Zulu Kings and Queens. As he continued deejaying, more DJs, rappers, b-boys , b-girls , graffiti writers, and artists followed him, and he took them under his wing and made them all members of his Zulu Nation. He was also the founder of the Soulsonic Force , which originally consisted of approximately 20 Zulu Nation members: Mr. Biggs, Queen Kenya, DJ Cowboy Soulsonic Force (#2), Pow Wow, G.L.0.B.E. (creator of
2812-517: The acknowledged forefathers of pure electro, plus British futurist acts like the Human League and Gary Numan , but also with a number of pioneering black musicians. Major artists like Miles Davis , Sly Stone , Herbie Hancock , Stevie Wonder , legendary producer Norman Whitfield and, of course, George Clinton and his P Funk brigade, would all play their part in shaping this new sound via their innovative use of electronic instruments during
2886-596: The alleged victims and witnesses. The article stated the accusers "claim that these accounts of alleged abuse have been common knowledge in the Bronx River community and beyond since the early 1980s, including among many of Bambaataa's closest friends and Zulu soldiers." No charges were brought against Afrika Bambaataa. In a March 2021 interview, Melle Mel said "everyone knew" about the accusations, calling it "hip hop's best kept secret" but would not respond when asked if he knew specifically. In October 2021 Bambaataa
2960-416: The changing hip hop culture. Baker, Pettibone, Golden and Scher enjoyed robust careers well into the house era, eluding the "genre trap" to successfully produce mainstream artists. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Detroit Techno musicians James Stinson and Gerald Donald released numerous EPs, singles and albums of conceptual electro music under several different aliases. Their main project, Drexciya
3034-478: The decline of disco music in the United States, electro emerged as a fusion of funk and early hip hop with principal influences from New York boogie, and German and Japanese electronic pop music. The genre emerged with musicians Arthur Baker , Afrika Bambaataa , Warp 9 , and Hashim . Seminal electro tracks included " Planet Rock " (1982) and " Nunk " (1982), both featuring its characteristic TR-808 drum beats. The early 1980s were electro's mainstream peak. By
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3108-429: The defining characteristics of the electro sound was the use of drum machines , particularly the Roland TR-808 , as the rhythmic basis of the track. As the genre evolved, computers and sampling replaced drum machines in electronic music, and are now used by the majority of electro producers. It is important to note, that although the electro of the 1980s and contemporary electro ( electronic dance music ) both grew out of
3182-483: The disco electro of Clone Records, to the old school b-boy styles of Breakin’ Records and Dominance Electricity, to the electrofunk of Citinite, and to harder more modern styles of electro of labels like Bass Frequency Productions and Nu Illusion Music. New branches of electro have risen over the last couple of years. Florida has pioneered the "Electrocore" sound, started in the late 1990s by artists like Jackal and Hyde and Dynamix II and carried on to this day. Skweee
3256-409: The dissolution of disco, they are now different genres. Classic (1980s) electro drum patterns tend to be electronic emulations of breakbeats with a syncopated kick drum, and usually a snare or clap accenting the backbeat. The difference between electro drumbeats and breakbeats (or breaks) is that electro tends to be more mechanical, while breakbeats tend to have more of a human-like feel, like that of
3330-608: The early 1980s were electro's heyday in the mainstream, it enjoyed renewed popularity in the late 1990s with artists such as Anthony Rother and DJs such as Dave Clarke . The genre has made yet another comeback for a third wave of popularity in 2007. The continued interest in electro, though influenced to a great degree by Florida, Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles and New York styles, has primarily taken hold in Florida and Europe with electro club nights becoming commonplace again. The scene still manages to support hundreds of electro labels, from
3404-553: The electro sound. A number of popular songs in the early 1980s employed the TR-808, including Marvin Gaye's “Sexual Healing,” Cybotron's “Clear,” and Afrika Bambaataa's “Planet Rock.” The Roland TR-808 has attained iconic status, eventually being used on more hits than any other drum machine. Through the use of samples, the Roland TR-808 remains popular in electro and other genres to the present day. Other electro instrumentation
3478-499: The electro tradition, whether featured in a group as in Warp 9 or as solo performers like Roxanne Shante . The lyrical style that emerged along with electro became less popular by the 1990s, as rapping continued to evolve, becoming the domain of hip hop music . About electro origins: It was all about stretching the boundaries that had begun to stifle black music, and its influences lay not only with German technopop wizards Kraftwerk ,
3552-570: The event, the recording Ndodemnyama (Free South Africa) helped raise approximately $ 30,000 for the ANC. From the mid-1990s, Bambaataa returned to his electro roots. In 1998, he produced a remix of " Planet Rock " combining electro and house music elements, called "Planet Rock '98", which is regarded as an early example of the electro house genre. In 2000, Rage Against the Machine covered his song " Renegades of Funk " for their album, Renegades . The same year, he collaborated with Leftfield on
3626-412: The gang. Hip hop culture was spreading through the streets via house parties, block parties, gym dances and mix tapes. About a year later Bambaataa reformed the group, calling it the Zulu Nation (inspired by his wide studies on African history at the time). Specifically, Bambaataa watched the 1964 film Zulu , which sparked the name for the group. Five b-boys ( break dancers ) joined him, whom he called
3700-441: The genre to a new generation. Afrika Bambaataa Lance Taylor (born on April 17, 1957), also known as Afrika Bambaataa ( / ˌ æ f r ɪ k ə b æ m ˈ b ɑː t ə / ), is an American DJ , rapper, and record producer from South Bronx , New York City . He is notable for releasing a series of genre-defining electro tracks in the 1980s that influenced the development of hip hop culture. Afrika Bambaataa
3774-414: The hit single " Rockit ". Bambaataa and groups like Planet Patrol , Jonzun Crew , Mantronix, Newcleus , Warp 9 and Juan Atkins ' Detroit -based group Cybotron went on to influence the genres of Detroit techno , ghettotech , breakbeat , drum and bass and electroclash . Early producers in the electro genre (notably Arthur Baker , John Robie and Shep Pettibone ) later featured prominently in
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#17327838064813848-437: The label: Time Zone and Shango. Bambaataa recorded "Wildstyle" with Time Zone , and he recorded a collaboration with punk rocker John Lydon and Time Zone in 1984, titled "World Destruction". Shango's album, Shango Funk Theology , was released by the label in 1984. In 1984, Bambaataa and other hip hop celebrities appeared in the movie Beat Street . He also made a landmark recording with James Brown , titled " Unity ". It
3922-545: The lyrics and/or music. Electro hip hop group Warp 9 's 1983 single, Light Years Away , produced and written by Lotti Golden and Richard Scher, exemplifies the Sci-Fi , afrofuturist aspect of electro, reflected in both the lyrics and instrumentation. The imagery of its lyrical refrain space is the place for the human race pays homage to Sun Ra 's 1974 film of the same name , while its synth lines and sound effects are informed by sci-fi, computer games, and cartoons,"born of
3996-415: The mid-1980s, the genre moved away from its electronic and funk influences, using harder edged beats and rock samples, exemplified by Run DMC . Electro became popular again in the late 1990s with artists such as Anthony Rother and DJs such as Dave Clarke . A third wave of popularity occurred in 2007. Electro has branched out into subgenres, including electrocore and skweee . From its inception, one of
4070-602: The music charts worldwide. The song melded the main melody from Kraftwerk's " Trans-Europe Express " with electronic beats based on their track " Numbers " as well as portions from records by Babe Ruth and Captain Sky , thus creating a new style of music altogether, electro funk . Afrika Bambaataa was booked on the first ever European hip hop tour presented by Europe One and Fnac France. Along with himself were rapper and graffiti artist Rammellzee , Zulu Nation DJ Grand Mixer DXT (formerly Grand Mixer D.St), B-boy and B-girl crews
4144-474: The only woman who deserves your respect, and why do you think I want more when I demand it? These are my questions..." On October 10, 2017, Kelela performed the song live for the first time on Later... with Jools Holland . "LMK" appeared on numerous year-end lists, topping Dummy Mag ' s list and appearing in the top 10 of lists by Vulture , The Quietus , Stereogum , Slant Magazine , Noisey and Highsnobiety . The music video for "LMK"
4218-551: The potential for technological advancement in music making, deciding to stop performing with a live band and instead only relying on technology on stage. That same year, Bambaataa released his breakthrough electro-funk track in the form of “Planet Rock”, which featured Bambaataa, producer Arthur Baker and the Soulsonic Force. This groundbreaking single, featuring the iconic line “party people, can you feel it?,” seamlessly blended electronic sounds, drum machines, and futuristic synthesizers with traditional funk and hip-hop elements. Featuring
4292-425: The producers of early electro because of the ability of its bass drum to generate extreme low-frequencies. This aspect of the Roland TR-808 was especially appealing to producers who would test drive their tracks in nightclubs (like NYC's Funhouse), where the bass drum sound was essential for a record's success. Its unique percussion sounds like handclaps, open and closed high-hat, clave and cowbell became integral to
4366-517: The song " Afrika Shox ", the first single from Leftfield's Rhythm and Stealth . " Afrika Shox " also appeared on the soundtrack to Vanilla Sky . In 2004, he collaborated with WestBam , a group that was named after him, on the 2004 album Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light which also featured Gary Numan . In 2006, he was featured on the British singer Jamelia 's album Walk with Me on
4440-463: The time Hashim was influenced by Man Parrish 's " Hip Hop, Be Bop ", Thomas Dolby 's " She Blinded Me With Science " and Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock". "Al-Nafyish" was later included in Playgroup 's compilation album Kings of Electro (2007), alongside other electro classics such as Sakamoto's "Riot in Lagos". Also in 1983, Herbie Hancock , in collaboration with Grand Mixer D.ST , released
4514-588: The use of heavier, more distinctive beats. Boogie played a role during the formative years of electro, notably "Feels Good" by Electra ( Emergency – EMDS-6527), the post-disco production " You're the One for Me " by D. Train (Prelude – PRL D 621), and the Eric Matthew / Darryl Payne productions " Thanks to You " by Sinnamon (Becket – BKD 508), and "On A Journey (I Sing The Funk Electric)" by Electrik Funk (Prelude – PRL D 541). Electro eventually emerged as
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#17327838064814588-480: The “Soulsonic Force”, which featured many artists that had overlapped with the Universal Zulu Nation. In 1982, Bambaataa began playing "authentically" electronic music in the form of EBN-OZN ’s “AEIOU Sometimes Y”, which was the first ever commercially released American single made on a computer, namely the Fairlight CMI. Inspired by electronic music groups such as Kraftwerk , Bambaataa began to realize
4662-476: Was 15. Following the allegations, three more men accused Bambaataa of sexual abuse. Bambaataa issued a statement to Rolling Stone denying the allegations. In early May 2016, the Universal Zulu Nation disassociated itself from Bambaataa as part of an organizational restructuring that saw the group removing "all accused parties and those accused of covering up the current allegations of child molestation" from their roles. On May 6, Bambaataa resigned as head of
4736-465: Was Kevin Donovan, which was widely accepted by the hip hop community until recently, following sexual abuse allegations, when Bronx River residents spoke out and revealed in oral testimonies that Bambaataa's real name was in fact Lance Taylor. The Zulu Nation was the first hip-hop organization, with an official birth date of November 12, 1977. Bambaataa's plan with the Universal Zulu Nation was to build
4810-524: Was Zulu for "affectionate leader". Bambaataa formed The "Bronx River Organization" as an alternative to the Black Spades. Due to the oft nebulous timeline of hip-hop origins, there are conflicting accounts of when Bambaataa began hosting parties. Some suggest he began as early as 1970, predating noted "father of hip hop" Kool Herc , while others contend he began after Herc in 1976, in fact, attending and drawing inspiration from Kool Herc parties. He vowed to use hip-hop to draw angry kids out of gangs and form
4884-548: Was a member of the Black Spades . He quickly rose to the position of "warlord" in one of the divisions. As warlord, it was his job to build ranks and expand the turf of the young Spades. He was not afraid to cross turfs to forge relationships with other gangs, and their members. As a result, the Spades became the biggest gang in the city in terms of both membership and turf. After Bambaataa won an essay contest that earned him
4958-407: Was an unauthorized release. Winley recorded two versions of Soulsonic Force's landmark single, "Zulu Nation Throwdown", with authorization from the musicians. Disappointed with the results of the single, Bambaataa left the company. The arranger credit on these recordings is correctly attributed to Harlem Underground Band leader, Kevin Donovan. This led to the false assumption that Bambaataa's real name
5032-620: Was announced that Afrika Bambaataa was one of the nine nominees for the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions. On December 22, 2007, he made a surprise appearance performing at the First Annual Tribute Fit For the King of King Records, Mr. Dynamite James Brown in Covington, Kentucky . On August 14, 2012, Bambaataa was given a three-year appointment as a visiting scholar at Cornell University . The appointment
5106-562: Was billed in music industry circles as "the Godfather of Soul meets the Godfather of Hip Hop". Around October 1985, Bambaataa and other music stars worked on the anti- apartheid album Sun City with Little Steven Van Zandt , Joey Ramone , Run–D.M.C. , Lou Reed , U2 , and others. During 1988, he recorded "Afrika Bambaataa and Family" for Capitol Records , titled The Light, featuring Nona Hendryx , UB40 , Boy George , George Clinton , Bootsy Collins , and Yellowman . He had recorded
5180-406: Was generally electronic, favoring analog synthesis , programmed bass lines, sequenced or arpeggiated synthetic riffs, and atonal sound effects all created with synthesizers . Heavy use of effects such as reverbs , delays , chorus or phasers along with eerie synthetic ensemble strings or pad sounds emphasized the science fiction or futuristic themes of classic (1980s) electro, represented in
5254-400: Was inspired by Kraftwerk 's futuristic electronic music, debuted at The Roxy a test cassette of EBN-OZN 's ground breaking, 12-inch white rap/spoken word "AEIOU Sometimes Y". It was the first commercially released American single ever made on a computer, a Fairlight CMI , ushering in the era of music computer sampling. In that same year, Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force stopped performing with
5328-725: Was made in collaboration between Cornell University Library 's Hip Hop Collection, the largest collection of historical hip hop music in North America, and the university's department of Music. His archives, including his vinyl collection, original audio and video recordings, manuscripts, books, and papers arrived at the Cornell University Hip Hop Collection in December 2013. In April 2016, Bronx political activist Ronald "Bee-Stinger" Savage accused Bambaataa of molesting him in 1980, when Savage
5402-801: Was produced by Bambaataa and Baker with musicians Keith LeBlanc and Doug Wimbish. Bambaataa was involved in the Stop the Violence Movement, and with other hip hop artists recorded "Self Destruction", a 12" single which hit number one on the Hot Rap Singles Chart in March 1989. The single went gold and raised $ 400,000 for the National Urban League to be used for community anti-violence education programs. In 1990, Bambaataa made Life magazine's "Most Important Americans of
5476-418: Was uploaded to Kelela's Vevo channel on August 9, 2017. Directed by longtime Björk collaborator Andrew Thomas Huang , the video is "a surreal visual that sees Kelela moving through hazy, club-like environments with authority and a take-no-prisoners attitude." Regarding the video, Huang said: "We wanted make a video that showcases the multiplicity of who Kelela is and who she has the potential to be. The video
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