Afrika Islam

Real Name: Charles Glenn
D.O.B.: 1967 South Bronx, New York

Also known as Son of Bambaataa, this legendary native Boogie-Down New Yorker is one of Hip-Hop's pioneering DJ's. Afrika Islam came into this world in 1967, in the heart of the Big Apple, N.Y.C. At a young age, one could see his professional background in him and he soon became a member of Zulu Nation! His name originates from his legendary musical father, Africa Bambaataa. The Hip Hope culture was the force that inspired Afrika Islam to start break dancing and rapping when he was only 10 year old. In 1977, he was one of the original b-boys in the legendary Rock Steady Crew. He learned the art of dJing from the 'INVENTOR' of Hip Hop culture, Afrika Bambaataa. Bam taught him the perfect usage of four turntables simultaneously. An Accomplishment fewer prominent DJs would attempt.

Afrika Islam s DJing career also began in 1977. Times he won the International Annual DJ competition and one can admire his skill as dancer in movies like Flashdance and Breaking 1 and 2. It wad during these times that Afrika Islam Hooked up with Ice T. A few years later Afrika Islam left NY and moved to Los Angeles. There he reunited with Ice-T and together they explored the west coast 'Gangster Rap' sound. Afrika co-produced most of Ice T's early albums, Rhyme Pays and Power. Rhyme pays hit gold sales immediately, later going platinum. Follow-up album, Power is deemed to be Ice's finest effort by some aficionados. With Ice-T's cooperation, Afrika Islam participated in many other projects in the Hip Hops sector. Los Angeles became his new home base, where he performs his near cult status radio show Zulu Beats on Power 106 FM LA.

In the 1990's Afrika Islam successfully remixed songs from famous artists like the Eurythmics, Michael Jackson, De La Soul, and Wu Tang Clan. Within that same time frame IN the mid 1990 s, Afrika Islam s popularity grew greatly in Europe. He developed his own crossover sound: with music elements of R&B, Hip Hop, Techno & House. With his extravagant style, he was booked on the 1995 Mayday event and from this gig, proceeded non-stop bookings in clubs and events. In 1997, he formed up with the most popular DJ in Germany, Westbam. The result: a project named Mr. X and Mr. Y that set the standards in the electronic music sector for the next three years. Afrika Islam and Westbam had created a new kind of global sound. Afrika's DJ performance is unique. Very often, he works with 50 to 60 albums in a two hour performance. His mastery of presenting techno sound a la Hip Hop style is behind his incredible success in many clubs all over Europe. Afrika Islam now recedes three quarters of the year in Germany, with no plans of changing in the future…

After many successful Hip Hop productions (seven Platinum Albums, two Movie Awards (Oscar) and a few Grammy Nominations), Islam seeks new musical challenges that combine many different styles thus giving birth to an entire new sound. Having played the major international mega-events like Mayday, Airave, Love Parade, etc.. he has achieved international CULT status.