Trying to reach Afrika Bambaataa for a cover story for Jocks & Nerds in November was a difficult task. Everyone that knows him loves him but he can be a little elusive. Finally, we arranged to meet at 5pm at the National Black Theater on 126th St in Harlem where he was going to meet members of the Zulu Nation. Sitting outside the theatre at 5pm with writer Sara Rosen I was nervous that somehow he would not turn up. I wanted to shoot his portrait in daylight and had scouted an appropriate spot. The sun was starting to go down when we spotted him rolling down the street with a couple of friends. People were coming up to him to hug him and talk. He greets everyone with love. I introduced myself and gave him some photos that I had taken when I first met him back in 1982. Just as the sun was starting to sink below the Harlem skyline Bam posed for me for maybe 10 minutes, he politely refused to take off his wrap around sunglasses –  if that is the way he wants to look that is how I will photograph him, documentary style. He made the cover with a great interview by my girl Ms Rosen.

Pictured above : Bambaataa Harlem 2013 – below: Bambaataa London 1982 with members of the Rock Steady Crew