Hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa is facing additional abuse charges after French rapper and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Solo alleged that the musician sexually assaulted him at age 16 .
Solo, co-founder of the influential French rap group Assassin, alleged the attack in an interview with French outlet CliqueTV.
Eastern European martial arts publication BJJ translated and published the interview on Thursday.
When confronting the “predator” he once admired, the male rapper opened up about this painful experience and chaotic emotions.
AllHipHop quotes Solo: “Confronting a predator, especially someone you admire, is very difficult because you admire this person.”
“Realizing they had flaws that led to inappropriate behavior was a shock,” he added.
Solo claimed that he had previously seen Bambaataa attack another child before he himself became the target.
He vividly recalled the moment when Bambaataa attacked him while watching porn.
“It’s also something you’re not prepared for,” he explains. “When I found myself standing in front of ###, I was so shocked I couldn’t move.”
The rapper explained that it took him decades to stop seeing himself as a victim and has not spoken about the incident in over 40 years.
Solo continued, “I needed personal growth and support to even realize that I was a victim.”
However, Solo later offered to acknowledge the psychological effects of such an experience when asked if he ever blamed himself for the alleged assault.
“There was a feeling that you didn’t have the right reaction at the right time,” he said. Over time, I understand that mechanisms are activated that prevent you from reacting appropriately.”
This is not the only allegation against Bambaataa. Several men have alleged sexual abuse in their teens.
The hip-hop icon has previously denied the claims, such as in a 2016 response.
While Solo said he rarely speaks about the alleged attack on people in the hip-hop community, he added, “What happened to me is not an exception and many people can relate.” to it.”
Tags French Montana, Afrika Bambaataa