DJ Afrika Bambaataa, whose 1982 single “Planet Rock” grew to become probably the most influential in hip-hop historical past however whose profession was derailed previously decade after a number of sexual abuse allegations, died yesterday (April 8) on the age of 68. No trigger has been revealed; the information was confirmed by the Common Zulu Nation, which he shaped in 1973.
“It’s with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Afrika Bambaataa, a pioneering architect and world ambassador of hip-hop tradition,” the group stated in an announcement. “Revered because the godfather of hip-hop, Bambaataa was instrumental in organizing, shaping and elevating the tradition from its earliest days within the Bronx right into a worldwide motion rooted within the rules of peace, unity, love and having enjoyable.”
Whereas a lot of hip-hop’s early DJs gravitated in the direction of breaks from American funk and disco information, Bambaataa discovered inspiration within the icy synths of pioneering digital teams like Germany’s Kraftwerk and Japan’s Yellow Magic Orchestra, interpolating the previous’s “Trans-Europe Specific” on “Planet Rock.” His use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine additionally helped it grow to be an indispensable piece of expertise for aspiring rappers and producers.
Bambaataa was born Lance Taylor within the Bronx and as a younger man was mired in gang warfare till a visit to Africa prompted him to pivot to music. He went on to launch hip-hop teams Soulsonic Pressure and Jazzy 5; “Planet Rock,” which grew to become membership sensation and ultimately offered tens of millions of copies, was credited to the previous. The artists discovered fast success once more with follow-up singles “On the lookout for the Prefect Beat,” “Renegades of Funk” and “Unity,” which featured James Brown.
Bambaataa was an occasional presence on the Billboard dance charts till 1990, when “Simply Get Up and Dance” climbed all the way in which to No. 4. Later on this profession, he remixed “Planet Rock” as an electro/home model, collaborated with artists corresponding to Leftfield, Jamelia, the Mekons and Bassheads and obtained a 2008 nomination for the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame. In 2012, he started a three-year appointment as a Cornell College visiting scholar.
Bambaataa’s life unraveled shortly thereafter. In 2016, he was pressured to step down from Common Zulu Nation after he was accused of sexually abusing a number of boys and younger males for a interval of many years. He constantly denied the allegations however in Could 2025 misplaced a toddler sexual abuse civil case introduced by one of many alleged victims after he failed to seem in courtroom.
