Afrika Bambaataa (born Kevin Donovan on April 19, 1957) is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980's.[2] Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying,[3] and is respectfully known as the "Godfather" and the Amen Ra of hip hop culture as well as the father ofelectro funk. Through his co-opting of the street gang the Black Spades into the music and culture-oriented Universal Zulu Nation, he is responsible for spreading hip hop culture throughout the world.[4] On September 27, 2007, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[5] On August 14, 2012 Afrika Bambaataa was given a three-year appointment as a visiting scholar at Cornell University. The appointment 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.
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