Looking for the Perfect Beat

So I realized it's been a year since I started this blog...wow! I need to post more these days, but there just hasn't been anything I have been over the moon about. Yeah as boring and lame as that comment is, is just about what I've been finding lately. Burt Fox and I had an in depth discussion about this last night over a cocktail and j...just to make sure I hadn't overlooked anything, but sadly his sentiments were the same. Since I wanted to post something seeing as it's an anniversary and all, I thought what throw back would be apropos for this posting...and then it came to me...Afrika Bambaataa of course!

I think everyone who is anyone knows who Bambaataa is...at the very least you've heard Planet Rock either on it's own or cut up and sampled on many many hip hop joints. A little background...Bambaatta was born in the South Bronx...and hailed as the leader of a gang called the Black Spades...through a life changing visit to Africa, he decided to use his leadership to change gang bangers and formed Zulu Nation. He encouraged these kids to stop the violence and turn it into an expression of art such as emceeing, dancing, making beats...etc. Many of these kids who followed Bambaataa soon became part of the Zulu Nation family and would tour with him all over the world promoting peace and unity within gang communities. The pop culture phrase "hip hop saved my life" was said to come from the Zulu Nation movement.

Aside from his movement of peace, he is also known as one of the godfathers of turntablism, next to Grandmaster Flash and Kool Herc. Many Djs such as ZTrip, Cut Chemist, QBert, Koala...all say Bambaataa had a huge influence on their skills. He is praised all over the world and still has yearly Zulu Nation parties. Very often in NYC, you'll see his name on the bill for parties.

So in celebration of the man who influenced so many of my favorite Dj's lives, I give you Looking for the Perfect Beat. Enjoy!

http://www.zshare.net/audio/57710392aaecfa3f/