School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force was the group of DJ and producer Afrika Bambaataa, born Lance Taylor in the Bronx in New York. As a boy he was a leader in the street gang the Black Spades. After a trip to Africa his outlook on the world changed. He took the name of the Zulu leader Bhambatha and founded the Universal Zulu Nation, a movement that wanted to get young people out of the gangs through music, dance and graffiti. From 1977 he organised block parties in the South Bronx. There, rap groups emerged around him, such as Soulsonic Force with the rappers Mr. Biggs, Pow Wow and Emcee G.L.O.B.E.

Music and breakthrough

Bambaataa listened not only to funk and soul, but also to Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra. In 1982 the group gave up the live band and switched entirely to electronics. With producer Arthur Baker and synthesizer player John Robie they made Planet Rock. They used the Roland TR-808 drum machine, the melody of Trans-Europe Express and drum patterns from Kraftwerk's Numbers, and blended it with funk and rap. The track became a club hit and laid the foundation for electro.

Influence

Planet Rock linked German electronic music with the hip hop of New York and influenced later styles such as house, techno and Miami bass. In 1982 Bambaataa also took hip hop on the first international hip hop tour. His name was later severely damaged by accusations of sexual abuse, after which he stepped down in 2016 as leader of the Zulu Nation. He died in 2026.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Planet Rock from 1982. Can you hear the melody of Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk? Also notice the hard, dry claps of the TR-808 drum machine beneath the raps.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: ArtistsElectro