Music industry veteran Chaka Zulu was reportedly arrested on murder charges. According to WSB-TV, Chaka Zulu, whose real name is Ahmed Obafemi, was also charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and simple battery.
He reportedly turned himself in on Sept. 13 and bonded out hours later.
Chaka Zulu was shot in Atlanta on June 27 at Apt4b, a restaurant and bar in the Buckhead area of Atlanta.
Atlanta police say the shooting occurred after an argument turned violent in the parking lot. Three were shot and one person died from their injuries. Artez Benton was shot and killed, but his family believe that he wasn’t the person targeted.
At press time, police have not revealed if others have been charged.
Zulu entered the entertainment industry in the 1990s as a music director and an on-air personality at Atlanta’s Hot 97.5 (now 107.9). However, he would eventually join fellow Hot 97.5 radio personality Ludacris as the co-founder of Disturbing Tha Peace, a record label and entertainment company.
Zulu would continue to manage Ludacris during the height of his success while also working with other prominent artists such as 2 Chainz, OutKast, DJ Drama, and Cee-Lo Green.
A staple in the Atlanta community, Zulu was honored by the Atlanta Hawks in 2022 with the “Forever 404 Honors.”
Mr. Chaka Zulu, a beloved son of the City of Atlanta, is disappointed in the Atlanta Police Department’s decision to bring charges against him surrounding the shooting that occurred in June 2022. A close review of all of the evidence, including the surveillance footage and eyewitness interviews, reveals that Mr. Zulu was attacked and jumped from behind by a gang of at least four (4) individuals (sadly including the decedent) and was forced to defend himself after this gang repeatedly stomped, punched, and kicked him while he was on the ground in a defenseless posture.
In a statement, Zulu’s team said that he acted in self-defense.
Mr. Zulu was shot in the back during the shooting and nearly lost his life, and is still recovering from the nearly fatal injuries he sustained that evening. Mr. Zulu was at his place of business that night and had every right to defend himself. In an attempt to save his life, Mr. Zulu lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense, a weapon that he is licensed to carry. Mr. Zulu fully cooperated with law enforcement officials and their investigation, and voluntarily turned himself in once he learned of the arrest warrants. Mr. Zulu remains confident that his name will be cleared of all charges through the judicial process. It is not lost on Mr. Zulu that someone lost his life, but had Mr. Zulu not lawfully defended himself, Mr. Zulu would have been killed that night.
