Funkmaster Flex Hit With FCC Complaint Over Afrika Bambaataa Comments

Advocacy organization Hip-Hop Stands with Survivors has filed an FCC complaint against New York radio station Hot 97 and Funkmaster Flex over comments the DJ made about Afrika Bambaataa, who has been accused of multiple allegations of child molestation. On August 17, Bambaataa, the seminal hip-hop figure and Zulu Nation founder whose real name is Lance Taylor, played a DJ set on Funkmaster Flex’s show. It was a rare public appearance for Taylor, who’s facing an open civil case for child sex trafficking. He hasn’t done many public performances since being accused of molestation by Zulu Nation member Ronald Savage, Hassan Campbell, and others in 2016. “The station was reckless with allowing this man in there as a guest when he has an open case of the most horrific nature,” Leila Wills, co-founder of Hip-Hop Stands with Survivors, tells Rolling Stone. “Bambaataa is alleged to have sold a 12-year-old for money to adult men to take advantage of. He has not defended himself, so Flex and HOT97 cannot protect him.” During the radio show, Flex referenced former music executive Ronald “Bee Stinger” Savage’s recent recanting of his accusations that Taylor molested him. “It seems that there’s a discrepancy that has...