Chuck D Honors Harry Belafonte: "Father Figure Of Our Community"

Chuck D spoke about the impact of Harry Belafonte during an interview with TMZ at LAX on Tuesday. The legendary singer, actor, and activist died of congestive heart failure earlier that morning at the age of 96. Belafonte spoke at Public Enemy's Rock & Roll Hame of Fame induction ceremony back in 2013.

"Harry Belafonte is a giant tower of our time. In his whole 96 years of his existence, his dignity, his grace, his power, his strength, and never was thinking about me-- always thinking about we," the Public Enemy rapper said. As for how he will remember Belafonte, Chuck D added: "As a father figure of our community. And I had the pleasure and the utmost privilege and joy for him to be able to share his time, council, laughs, wisdom, intelligence. He inducted Public Enemy into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and we honored him that night."

Chuck D was far from the only hip-hop artist to speak out about Belafonte's impact in the wake of his passing. Diddy also shared a heartfelt message on social media on Tuesday. “I’m so blessed that I had the chance to get to know Mr.B,” Diddy captioned a photo of himself with the late Belafonte. “He taught me so much. The number 1 thing he taught me was to always have a rebel heart. Be fearless and do what others aren’t willing to do for the advancement of your people. ALL HAIL A TRUE KING AND REVOLUTIONARY! Thank you! Thank you!!”

Regarding his efforts as an activist, Belafonte was a key voice in the civil rights movement, even becoming a close friend of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He also led a campaign against apartheid in South Africa, and befriended Nelson Mandela. Additionally, he worked in the fight against HIV/AIDS and became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

[Via]