Sedgwick & Cedar
announced today (Oct. 6) that they have acquired the exclusive rights to the new
Universal Zulu Nation clothing line, launching Oct. 15.
Founded by Afrika Bambaataa, the Universal Zulu Nation arose
among reformed street gang members in the Bronx in the early 1970’s and boasts
a membership of 400,000 people.
The mission of the UZN is to spread knowledge, peace, heritage,
music and awareness to the people of the world.
Bambaataa played a key role in the formulation and growth of
Hip-Hop culture internationally and released groundbreaking early Hip-Hop records
like "Zulu Nation Throwdown," "Planet Rock" and "Looking
For the Perfect Beat."
Bambaataa was one of the first to use the newly coined term
Hip-Hop to encompass all the elements of the music.
The acquisition of Universal Zulu Nation is a natural fit for
Sedgwick & Cedar. Founded by Ray Riccio, Sedgwick & Cedar started as
an idea that Riccio had after researching the roots of Hip-Hop.
As the story has it, on August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc’s sister
Cindy Campbell hosted a back to school party in her apartment building’s small
recreational room at 1520 Sedgwick Ave.
It was at this legendary party where DJ Kool Herc first introduced
extended break beats and other DJ skills. Once the party reached its capacity,
it was moved down to Cedar Park, drawing thousands throughout the night to see
the birth of the art form including DJ’ing, MC’ing and tagging.
The new Iconic
Styles of Universal Zulu Nation will be featured in stores near you and is also
available on-line at www.sedgwickandcedar.com
