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Afrika Bambaataa and his image as the pioneering ambassador of Hip-Hop culture has decidedly been tarnished by accusations he molested a young man nearly four decades ago. Ronald Savage, Bambaataa’s accuser, exclusively spoke with the New York Daily News, revealing staggering details largely unknown to the public.

Savage, a former music executive and author, broke the news of the accusations via Troi “Star” Torain’s Shot 97 website and radio show last month. As the explosive allegations continue to shock fans, Savage’s Daily News interview finds a former collaborator of Bambaataa siding with the man.

From the NYDN:

The former music industry executive and author says he struggled privately with intimacy and struggled with suicidal thoughts for decades from the abuse that occurred when he was 15 years old, but he broke his silence in recent weeks with the release of a self-published memoir entitled “Impulse Urges and Fantasies” that includes the explosive Bambaataa allegations as well as a YouTube interview with urban radio veteran “Star” that has rocked the hip-hop world.

“I want him to know how much he damaged me growing up,” says Savage, 50, who was known as “Bee Stinger” when he was running with the Zulu Nation, the international hip-hop organization Bambaataa founded in the 1970s.

“I was just a child,” he told the Daily News. “Why did he take my innocence away? Why did he do this to me?”

Savage added that he’s come forth about the abuse as he hopes to help change New York’s statue of limitations, which states that child sexual abuse victims cannot pursue legal action after their 23rd birthday. Savage claims his mission isn’t a money grab but more so stepping up a voice for others like him who remain silent after being abused.

Chuck Freeze of the Jazzy Five, who worked with Bambaataa and was around when Savage was present with the Zulu Nation, says he believes the accusations.

Adding to the possibility of Savage’s sincerity about coming forth, court records shown to the Daily News proved he did tell his wife about the abuse long before he published his book, Impulses, Urges and Fantasies, which Zulu Nation supporters claim Savage is trying to promote with his public stance.

Photo: screen cap