Founded by Afrika Bambaataa the Universal Zulu Nation, originally known simply as The Organization, is an international Hip Hop Awareness group, with over 400,000 members, which arose among reformed street gang members in the Bronx in the early 1970s. The mission of the UZN is to spread knowledge, peace, heritage, music and awareness to the people of the world.
Afrika Bambaataa, whose name translates to "affectionate leader" and the UZN played a key role in the formulation and growth of Hip Hop culture internationally. Bambaataa was the first to use the newly coined term Hip Hop to encompass all the elements of the music, graffiti, dance, rap and knowledge; thereby identifying Hip Hop as a unique culture unto itself. Bambaataa utilized the developing organization of the UZN to spread Hip Hop to the other boroughs in New York City, to other cities in the US and to countries around the world. After his hit "Planet Rock" in 1982, Bambaataa organized the first international Hip Hop tour of B-Boys, Graffiti Artists, DJs and Emcees providing the world with the first glimpse of the Cultural Revolution called Hip Hop.
As of January 2006, a New Boston Chapter of the UZN has been re-opened. Following in the beliefs and traditions of the chapters across the globe, the Boston Chapter headed by Malika Nomadik will be active, making progress and spreading knowledge throughout the region. For more info please email us at [email protected]
