 Congratulations to the Zulu Nation North Star chapter in Sacramento. This weekend they celebrated their 4th anniversary with a lecture series and B-Boy festival. Yours truly Davey D along with Hip Hop pioneers Grand Wizard Theodore, Gremlin and Afrika Bambaataa were invited to speak on Hip Hop history politics and culture. Zulu Members Leo The Lion, Gremlin. For folks who aren't familiar with the Zulu chapter in Sacramento, they have definitely been active over the past couple of years. They have raised awareness and held rallies around the plight of political prisoners like Mumia Abul Jamal. They have spoken out against the Prison Industrial Complex and the failed War on Drugs. Not too long ago they stormed the state Capitol to let Cali's legislative body know what time it is.. In the midst of all their political activism, Sacto's Zulu chapter still manages to sit down and take time out to inform themselves on the ins and outs of Hip Hop Culture. I didn't get a chance to peep the B-Boy Festival and I missed Bambaataa who arrived a day later, but it was good to run into Grand Wizard Theodore. For those who don't know this was not only the musical head of the Fantastic Romantic Five, but also the inventor of the scratch. He began his career back in the mid 70s under the leadership of his older brothers Mean Gene and Cordio. Completing the group was Grandmaster Flash. Collectively the group was known as the L Brothers. The L stood for their last name 'Livingston'. It was Flash who went against the wishes of Gene's older brothers by teaching Theodore how to spin..After he mastered his craft, Flash surprised everyone during a block party by letting 12 year Theodore get on the wheels of steel and do his thing to an astonished crowd. Theodore had to stand on a milk crate to reach the turntables. It wasn't too long afterwards that Flash left the L Brothers and formed his own group the Furious Four. Theodore later went on to form the Fantastic Five which back in the days was wound up being lyrical Hip Hop rivals to Flash and his crew.. When I rolled in the venue which was on Sac State University, Theodore was on the turn tables. He's been spinning for over 25 years since he was 12 years old and he had not lost a beat. If anything Theodore has adapted with the times and showcased skills that are on par with deejays you see running around today. During his presentation, he spoke emphatically about his love for the culture. He insisted that after 25 years of spinning, that its Hip Hop that keeps him young and energetic. He is trying to pass his values and respect for Hip Hop down to his 16 year old son. Currently Theodore tours the country lecturing and occasionally playing sets here or there. More importantly he spends a lot of time working with young people. Whatever extra money he gets from lecturing and touring he funnels back into local youth programs in the Bronx where he still lives. He explained the importance of making sure young people are exposed to various things and he is more then willing to help them reach those goals. Props to Theodore. He definitely deserved the special Achievement Award that was bestowed upon him during this past Source Awards. . |