Hip Hop Icon Afrika Bambaataa Checks Into Hospital For Chest Pains [VIDEO]

First and foremost, 107 Jamz wishes Afrika Bambaataa a very happy belated birthday and many more.  The Hip Hop legend turned 56 years old yesterday.

When word first came of the icon being in the hospital, rumors started going out that he had been stabbed.  Thankfully, it's not true.  The Zulu Nation leader checked himself into a hospital for chest pains.

AllHipHop.com reported Ahmad Henderson, Africa Bambaataa’s manager, refuted the notion that he was stabbed saying, “Ridiculous. There are too many rumors. Bam checked into the hospital for chest pains. And he came out fine. Three days later he was Radio City Music Hall. If he was stabbed how, was he on stage performing?”

A rep for The Mighty Zulu Nation, Mickey Betson added “Afrika Bambaataa was not stabbed so we do not know where this is coming from.  Yes he did go to the hospital because of chest pains bothering him and everything checked out alright.”

However, The Star & Buc Wild Show may have had something to do with the rumor of Bam being stabbed.  Earlier this week the radio crew alleged that the stabbing stemmed from a rumored date rape, in which Bam had drugged a man and attempted oral sex.  According to the rumor, the man woke up and stabbed Bam.

Hip Hop photographer Ernie Paniccioli told AllHipHop.com of the rumor, It is BS.  To hell with anyone who defames a man who has devoted his life to Peace and dignity and who has been a beacon to generations of our youth.”  Paniccioli suggested that the attack on Afrika Bambaataa's character is due to the fact that he and his nation starkly criticized Rick Ross for his date rape lyrics on UOENO, adding,  “Never underestimate the Devil.  I have know Bam for 35 years on this Earth and can vouch for him as a man, as a human being and as a mighty leader and yes even as an Icon. I will defend him with every breath I have in me. I can bear witness to his spirit and his warmth and his leadership.”

As for his birthday, ironically Wikipedia lists his birthday as being tomorrow April 19^th however, sources say his actual birthday was Wednesday April 17^th where he turned 56.

If there's any question as to whether or not Afrika Bambaataa still got it, check him out performing live at Radio City Music Hall March 30th to a sold out crowd: