Following a challenging week filled with serious abuse allegations against their lead singer, Zulu has officially announced their separation from vocalist Anaiah Rasheed Muhammad. The band made this announcement via a social media post, where they also discussed their plans for the future in light of this significant lineup change and ongoing controversy surrounding the situation.

In the aftermath of this split, Zulu aims to focus on their next steps while navigating the complexities of their recent challenges.

Understanding the Allegations Against Anaiah Rasheed Muhammad

This week, an individual named Simpson, who identified as both a roommate and former partner of Muhammad, began publicly sharing serious allegations of physical and mental abuse. These claims include disturbing details such as kicking, choking, punching, gaslighting, and various forms of verbal harassment that had a significant impact on both her and others in the musician’s sphere.

In response to these allegations, Muhammad issued a statement firmly denying any involvement in acts of violence. He asserted that he has never engaged in coercion, manipulation, or isolation tactics against Simpson. Furthermore, he expressed his readiness to defend himself against these serious claims to restore his reputation and clear his name.

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Amid these allegations, former drummer Don Brown publicly reflected on his departure from the band, hinting that his exit was linked to the troubling behaviors described by Simpson. In a candid social media post, he stated, “I’m not one to enable shit like this. Being raised by strong women, I continue to surround myself with strong women. What I did was not admirable; it’s merely the bare minimum. I’m just calling out the bullshit, and I hope y’all continue to hold people accountable, even after this.”

Following the emergence of these allegations, Zulu performed at a festival without Muhammad. After the event, the festival promoter released a statement clarifying that they allowed the band to perform despite the allegations, as they were still assessing the full scope of the situation amid the festival’s activities.

However, after observing the ongoing back-and-forth and the reactions from other promoters, bands, and fans on social media, they ultimately decided to cancel the remainder of Zulu’s planned Latin America tour.

Zulu’s Official Statement on Their Decision to Move Forward Without Anaiah

In light of the recent developments, Zulu has released an official statement confirming their decision to part ways with Muhammad. Within this message, they expressed their unwavering support for victims of abuse and condemned any mistreatment of vulnerable individuals within their community.

The band also provided transparency regarding how they first learned about the allegations against their former vocalist and the circumstances surrounding their previous drummer’s departure. For the time being, they have chosen to “put the project on pause” as they contemplate the future direction of their individual careers.

The complete statement shared on Instagram reads as follows:

We are aware of the allegations brought forth against Anaiah. We stand in solidarity with all people who are victims of abuse, and condemn the mistreatment of those vulnerable in our communities. Our hearts go out to anyone who has experienced any form of physical or emotional abuse, assault, or any other act that has caused harm and taken their agency away from them.

Other members of Zulu have separated ourselves from Anaiah and will no longer be working with or performing with him in any capacity.

We want to acknowledge the allegations were never disclosed to us prior, and we were immediately concerned reading the detailed account. We were aware there were unresolved issues between the parties involved, but not the nature of the allegations. Regarding our previous drummer’s posts, while he was filling in on tour with us, he did not disclose knowledge of these allegations other than what we understood to be issues surrounding their relationship. He ultimately did not play with us because of confusion over scheduling.

We understand that this has been extremely upsetting and disappointing to anyone who supported this band, its message, and what it represents. Upon our return home, we have withdrawn from scheduled performances and will be officially putting this project on pause.