The Afrika Bambaataa Planet Rock Costume Collection
1982. Item #4794
The original stage wear of Afrika Bambaataa from the early 1980s is dazzling and dramatic, bringing to mind the costumes of Sun Ra and his Arkestra, Parliament/Funkadelic, James Brown, and Sly and the Family Stone. Afrika Bambaataa grew from his Bronx roots into a visionary cultural figure and the organizing force behind the invention of hip-hop. Also the founder of the Zulu Nation—a music-oriented youth organization comprised of reformed gang members that would become a worldwide phenomenon—Bambaataa was a central figure in developing an afro-futurist bent on hip-hop, politics, and lifestyle that can be plainly seen in the work of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, and The Roots.
These costumes are the original garments worn on stage and in the music video for “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force, which became one of the first global anthems for the hip-hop movement. “Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun!”
This collection contains 11 pieces worn by Bambaataa and others, including capes, jewelry, vests, shoes, and a headpiece. Stored in one wardrobe box and one bankers’ box.
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