Afrika Bambaataa’s Legacy: Ronald “Bee Stinger” Savage Talks The Allegations & Why He Wants The Culture Move On

Few figures in history inspire as much debate as Afrika Bambaataa. As one of the architects of Hip-Hop culture, Bambaataa helped transform a local Bronx movement into a global phenomenon through the Universal Zulu Nation. His penchant for international touring and a message centered on peace, unity and having fun made him an icon. But in the years leading up to his death, his legacy was overshadowed by disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct. And, that was a massive fissure within the culture he helped create.

Among the voices at the center of that conversation is Ronald “Bee Stinger” Savage, a longtime Zulu Nation member. It was Savage whose public statements fueled the lion share of the scrutiny of Bambaataa. And that was a boulder that ran downhill. In this candid conversation with AllHipHop, Savage explains why his perspective has evolved, addresses criticism from both supporters and detractors and even brings fellow accuser Hassan Campbell into the mix. But, now he says Hip-Hop should focus on preserving the culture, revering Bam and moving on from litigating the past.

Below is an edited interview. For the full, unedited conversation, watch the video of Savage and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur.

AllHipHop: One thing that seems to really bother you is when people say “Rest In P###” to Bambaataa. Is that fair to say?

Ronald Savage: Yeah, that’s definitely fair to say. It hurts me a lot to hear that because I started this, and knowing what I know, Bamb doesn’t deserve what he’s getting. A lot of people are going off hearsay.

People mention this person or that person said something, but nobody ever said he was dealing with underage anybody because that was never the case. The rumor was always that he allegedly liked the same sex. Same sex has nothing to do with underage people.

AllHipHop: You’ve said before that you were 15 when you first met Bambaataa. Why is that important to clarify?

Ronald Savage: Because later on I remembered something important. A friend reminded me that we used to get fake IDs from 42nd Street. Then it hit me. I was telling everybody I was 18 because I wanted to get into the clubs.

Back then nobody asked anybody how old they were. The only time age came up was when you needed ID to get into a club. I always hung around older people and wanted to be older.

I felt bad because if I had explained from the beginning that I was using a fake ID, it probably would’ve shed more light on the situation.

AllHipHop: So you’re saying Bambaataa didn’t know you were underage?

Ronald Savage: Him and everybody else. Nobody knew I was 15 because I was going around telling people I was 18.

I always ask myself if there’s any possibility he knew, but I don’t think so. Back then nobody was asking ages. We talking about the ’70s and ’80s. People were partying and having a good time.

AllHipHop: What do you say to people who believe there are legitimate victims involved?

Ronald Savage: I can only speak for me. I don’t like using the word “abused” because as far as I know, Bamb never abused anybody.

I did what I did because I wanted to be down. Nobody forced me to do anything. If he was forcing people, don’t you think he would’ve been in jail a long time ago? Don’t you think something would’ve happened?

I don’t believe that.

AllHipHop: You’ve also been critical of Hassan Campbell. Why?

Ronald Savage: I sat with Hassan back in 2016 in Harlem. Everything I told him, he went back to his channel and repeated like it was his own story.

That’s when I lost all respect for him.

When I think back on that conversation, he didn’t even say much. I was the one talking. Then all of a sudden he’s got all these stories. I think he’s being untruthful about his age. That’s what I think.

AllHipHop: Some people argue that even if someone wasn’t physically forced, there could have been an imbalance of power. How do you respond to that?

Ronald Savage: I can’t speak for everybody. I can only speak for people with strong minds.

If I don’t want to do something, I’m not going to do it.

When I was at Bam’s house and a guy came in with his pants down, I left immediately. I was out. Why? Because I wasn’t down with that.

If you’re into something, that’s your business. Just don’t push it on me.

AllHipHop: There has been a longstanding rumor that you were upset because you and Bambaataa had some sort of falling out. What do you say to that?

Ronald Savage: That’s absolutely a rumor.

When I decided I wasn’t down with that lifestyle anymore, I simply stopped answering the door.

One day I looked through the peephole, saw it was him and didn’t answer. That’s how it ended. It was that simple.

AllHipHop: When the Daily News story first came out, there was a famous photograph of you crying. Many people interpreted that as pain connected to Bambaataa.

Ronald Savage: That’s not what happened.

After the interview was over, the reporters started asking me about my mother. I was talking about not having a good relationship with her, and I broke down crying.

The photographer started taking pictures.

When I saw the image later, I realized it gave the impression I was crying over the Bambaataa situation, which I wasn’t. They knew I wasn’t. But I’m not mad at the Daily News. They were doing their job.

AllHipHop: Is there any possibility that Bambaataa abused young boys?

Ronald Savage: Anything in life is possible. Do I believe it? No.

That was never the rumor. I never saw any of that.

AllHipHop: What about the default judgment that people often cite as proof?

Ronald Savage: A default judgment doesn’t mean somebody is guilty or innocent.

A default judgment happens when somebody doesn’t show up. My understanding is Bam didn’t even know about it.

I actually had a situation where people tried to get a default judgment against me. They claimed they served me, but they never did. When I finally went to court, I saw pictures of papers taped to a building door.

That’s not serving somebody.

AllHipHop: What would you like to see happen now that Bambaataa has passed away?

Ronald Savage: I would like people to respect the culture.

The culture will never die.

I’d like to see us get back to the way things used to be, when all six elements of Hip-Hop were present at the parties. I’d like to see people come together again.

AllHipHop: Can the damage to Bambaataa’s legacy ever be repaired?

Ronald Savage: If people don’t know the facts, they should stop spreading rumors.

This man has passed away. Let him rest in peace.

He gave the world something that’s going to last a lifetime, which is Hip-Hop culture. He took Hip-Hop around the world. We should be concentrating on the culture, not gossip.

AllHipHop: If someone came forward tomorrow with evidence and claimed they were abused, would that change your perspective?

Ronald Savage: The man is dead. He can’t defend himself.

How do we know something isn’t fabricated? You should’ve said something when he was alive.

For me, it’s time to let it go. From this interview forward, I’m pushing for the culture. The man has passed away, and God has the final say.

I think it’s time to let God deal with it.

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