Last Sunday, me and the MSG Network Summerball cameras went down to Central Park Summerstage, NYC, to interview Hip Hop’s Godfather Afrika Bambaataa, the DJ who founded our culture’s oldest organization in the Zulu Nation and who nurtured it’s growth throughout the ’70s and ’80s . . .
(L-R) Rock Steady Crew dance legend Fabel and Afrika Bambaataa behind the wheels.
But how shocked were we when we saw Tri-State/Watson Classic announcer Joe Pope on the MIC hyping the crowd?!!!
Fabel giving a pound to Joe Pope.
How hot is his Tri-State Classic All-Star jersey, man? And he got his name on the back! Mousey, what’s up?!!! Ha ha ha ha! Turns out Mr. Pope has known Bambaataa for over 20 years because he grew up in Bronx River Projects too. Joe also told me that he’s the new MC for the BALL4LIFE Tour and was very excited about. Catch both interviews tonight on MSG’s Summerball, every Thursday @ 7pm with rebroadcasts all week. Check your local listings.
And if you’re not familiar with who Bam is, I’m sure you know his platinum early ’80s hit “Planet Rock” with the Soulsonic Force which was the beat for the award winning Nike “Freestyle” commercial:
July 10th, 2008 at 11:08 am
illest says:
summerball is the only thing worthy on msg. and the vault at times. what about a show called whered you get those on msg? your sneaker show needs to be resurrected.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
espn ‘it’s the shoes’ is being planned right now as i type as a webisode series online. stay tuned, illest . . .
July 10th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
illest says:
stay tuned I definitely will. I still cant figure out why ESPN dropped that show.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Carlito Roc TCK Krew says:
That freestyle commercial was my favorite commercial of all time.
That and the first two and one mixtapes (vhs!) opened me up to a whole new world.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:16 am
CUZO says:
Afrika bambaataa rocked the house.
Joe Pope did a great job as a hype man,
Seun kuti (son of Fela Kuti) had all the chics screaming and of course the legendary Bobbito was nice enuff to show luv to fans(such as myself)who wanted pics.
Nuff respect. Bouncemag is da Sh**T. Peace.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Seldom Seen says:
My boyz used to run security at the Roxy back in the day when Bam and the Rock Steady Crew ruled the packed house…b-boyz breaking dance to crazy Fat Beats like Planet Rock was the sure shot. Word up no lie those were the days.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
seldom seen–you showing your age!
cuzo–thanks for the love, b! i need to catch seun kuti next time, i had to break out and get ready to spin at happy feet, but heard dude murdered it!
July 12th, 2008 at 2:48 am
Seldom Seen says:
Indeed time waits for no one but good memories like vibes last a lifetime