Afrika Baby Bam
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
Nathaniel Hall better known by his stage name Afrika Baby Bam, is an American hip hop artist, born in Brooklyn, New York, and was part of the groundbreaking hip-hop group the Jungle Brothers. He was named in honor of Afrika Bambaataa. Afrika Baby Bam is known to constantly reinvent himself as an artist both musically and as a performer. He is also known as Afrika, Baby Bam, and most recently B.A.M.
Music career
Bam started out as a member of the Jungle Brothers. The group was formed in 1986 with his friends from Brooklyn, Mike G and Sammy B. Their first hit was "Straight out the Jungle" followed by the dance music hit "I'll House You." Bam also helped form the hip-hop super group Native Tongues whose members included Queen Latifah and Q-Tip. The Jungle Brothers' first concert was at Wembley Stadium to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Bam is no longer with the Jungle Brothers.
Solo career
Bam has most recently been performing in Massachusetts while he has been establishing his new production company, Ravensclaw Productions. He is also associated with a new movement called the Pagan Society. Much controversy has surrounded him with his broad range of performance style. Bam faces growing pains as an artist while transforming his persona to meet his artistic needs and dealing with his already established image. He is now known to wear gas masks on stage, apply bloody makeup, and wear face paint in what he calls bamboozles on his audience and fans. He has deviated from the traditional hip-hop community to establish himself as an artist involving himself in many collaborations including musical, video and art.
Discography
- Straight out the Jungle (1988), Warlock
- Done by the Forces of Nature (1989), Warner Bros.
- J Beez Wit the Remedy (1993), Warner Bros.
- Raw Deluxe (1997), Gee Street/V2/BMG Records
- V.I.P. (2000), Gee Street/V2/BMG Records
- All That We Do (2002), Jungle Brothers
- You in My Hut Now (2003), XYZ
- This is... (Greatest hits) (2005), Nurture Records/Groove
- I Got You (2006), Pinoeer Records
