Best known for his production work with hardcore rapper Ice-T, Afrika Islam is a virtuoso DJ, able to spin four turntables at one time. Beginning his career as an apprentice to Afrika Bambaataa, in the late '70s Islam met Earl Chin at radio station WHBI, who offered the young DJ a show. Calling his show Zulu Beats, Islam teamed up with the group Supreme Team and began gaining a substantial following at the station. After a short period as a DJ for the Rock Steady Crew in the early '80s, Islam moved to L.A. where he appeared in films such as Breakin' II and Pump up the Volume. Islam also began doing production work for Ice-T, producing four gold albums for the hardcore rapper, including the Colors and New Jack Hustler soundtracks. Through his work with Ice-T, Islam also began remixing for other artists, including Michael Jackson, New Order, and the Eurythmics. Afrika Islam also exported his successful Zulu Beats show to Japan in 1992.