The hip-hop world was shaken last week when journalist and Bronx judicial delegate Ronald Savage accused Afrika Bambaataa of sexually assaulting him as a child. Now the "Planet Rock" artist is speaking out for the first time, denying the accusations as "baseless and cowardly."
"I, Afrika Bambaataa, want to take this opportunity at the advice of my legal counsel to personally deny any and all allegations of any type of sexual molestation of anyone," Bambaataa says in a statement to Rolling Stone. "These allegations are baseless and are a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in hip-hop at this time. This negligent attack on my character will not stop me from continuing my battle and standing up against the violence in our communities, the violence in the nation and the violence worldwide."
The accusations are included in Savage's self-published memoir Impulse Urges and Fantasies, where he accuses Bambaataa of molesting him as a 15 year-old. Bambaataa was 23 at the time of the alleged incident. Savage served as a "crate boy," hauling records for DJs in the area, which is how he became friends with Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation.
Speaking to the Daily Beast, who first reported Savage's claims, he said, ""It was just about fun, hanging out, listening to music. I had a big name on the street. I was the youngest of the Zulu Nation. Nobody bothered me back then because nobody messed with the Zulu Nation."
He says that he isn't seeking monetary damages, but rather wants to change the statute of limitations in New York State for child abuse and prevent other children from suffering like he has.
Bambaataa's lawyer sharply denied the allegations as well to the Daily Beast.
"Defamatory statements were published seeking to harm my client's reputation so as to lower him in the estimation of the community while deterring others from associating or dealing with him," she said, referring to Savage's book. "The statements show a reckless disregard for the truth, were published with knowledge of their falsity, and are being made by a lesser-known person seeking publicity."
