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Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force
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Miami Vice Performer
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"Renegades of Funk" ("The Maze")
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Members
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Afrika Bambaataa
Mr. Biggs Pow Wow The G.L.O.B.E. DJ Jazzy Jay Cosmic Force |
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Active
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1980-present
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Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force are an American electro-funk and hip hop ensemble whose song "Renegades of Funk" appeared in the Miami Vice episode "The Maze".
Career[]
Bambaataa was born in the projects of The Bronx, New York. He founded the gang Black Spades, who helped drive out drug dealers and maintain order in the projects, sometimes violently. He won a trip to Africa and watched the film Zulu, and the influence of both helped change his view to one of non-violence and formed the Bronx River Organization as an alternative to the Spades. Bambaataa later began to host hip-hop parties as an alternative to the gang life, formed the Universal Zulu Nation, and is credited with inventing the phrase "hip-hop". In 1982 he formed two rap groups (as rap was in its' infancy then) and the band Soulsonic Force. His first album was released in 1983, Death Mix, with their dance song, "Planet Soul". He then contributed to the anti-Apartheid album Sun City and released the album Planet Rock: The Album featuring "Renegades of Funk" (covered by Rage Against The Machine in 2000). He also released the singles, "Unity" with James Brown, and "Reckless" with reggae band UB40. Bambaataa released a number of albums in the 1990s and 2000s, and made an appearance at a 2007 tribute for James Brown. Also in 2007, Bambaataa was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but as of 2016 has not been inducted.