Afrika Bambaataa, a trailblazer in hip-hop music, has passed away at the age of 68. According to TMZ, he died on Thursday (April 9) in Pennsylvania due to complications from cancer.
Born Lance Taylor in 1957 to Jamaican and Barbadian parents, Bambaataa grew up in the Bronx River Projects in New York City. He became famous for hosting block parties and other events in the Bronx, helping to shape the early hip-hop scene.
Bambaataa was a key figure in the genre’s early days. His groundbreaking album Planet Rock, featuring singles released between 1980 and 1986, was one of hip-hop’s first major successes. He also co-founded the Universal Zulu Nation, a group dedicated to promoting hip-hop culture and awareness.
However, his legacy faced controversy in 2016 when multiple men accused him of child sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s. The allegations led to resignations within the Zulu Nation and Bambaataa stepping down from his leadership role.
In his music career, Afrika Bambaataa released his first single, “Zulu Nation Throwdown,” in 1980. Two years later, his hit “Planet Rock” climbed to No. 4 on the U.S. R&B Chart. Over the years, he produced 22 albums, with his last release, Death Mix 2, coming out in 2006.
Beyond music, Afrika Bambaataa was appointed as a visiting scholar at Cornell University in 2012. His contributions to hip-hop, including his recordings, manuscripts, and papers, are preserved in Cornell’s hip-hop collection.
