in the late 1970s, bambaataa formed what became known as the universal zulu nation, a group of socially and politically aware rappers, b-boys, graffiti artists and other people involved in hip hop culture. by 1977, inspired by dj kool herc and dj dee, and after disco king mario loaned him his first equipment, bambaataa began organizing block parties all around the south bronx. he even faced his long-time friend, disco king mario in a dj battle. he then began performing at adlai e. stevenson high school and formed the bronx river organization, then later simply "the organization." bambaataa had deejayed with his own sound system at the bronx river houses' community center, with mr. biggs, queen kenya, and cowboy, who accompanied him in performances in the community. because of his prior status in the black spades, he already had an established army party crowd drawn from former members of the gang. hip hop culture was spreading through the streets via house parties, block parties, gym dances and mix tapes.