In the music industry, especially in the hip-hop community, Afrika Bambaataa is a legendary figure. He was born in the Bronx, where gangs were common, and he believed that music could unite and promote peace between opposing groups. Due to his strong interest in the cultural interchange between various musical genres, Afrika Bambaataa frequently mixes different styles into his DJ sets.

Fela Kuti's Afrobeat music was a major component of the diverse mix of influences that hip-hop's early days embraced, he said in one of his interviews. This reflects Bambaataa's personal philosophy of fusing various musical genres to create something fresh and potent, as well as the diversity and openness of the emerging hip-hop culture.

During his DJ sets, Afrika Bambaataa frequently plays unexpected songs that blend hip-hop tracks with rock, salsa, and African rhythms. He likes to observe how the audience responds to this blending of sounds and how these various components strike a chord with them. Similar to stirring a pot full of different spices, each component contributes a distinct flavor that makes for an intriguing and surprising taste that entices customers to return for more.

This strategy reflects his larger goal of using music to bring people together, where each genre or culture adds something worthwhile to the mix, making it richer and more significant. Afrika Bambaataa wants to encourage listeners and other musicians to value and celebrate the various aspects of our global musical heritage by embracing diversity in sound and style.