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

Afrika Bambaataa

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

Afrika Bambaataa was actually called Lance Taylor and was born on 17 April 1957 in the Bronx, the child of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants. His mother had a large and varied record collection. As a boy he became a leader within the street gang the Black Spades. A trip to Africa changed his outlook on the world. He took the name of the Zulu chief Bhambatha and founded the Universal Zulu Nation, an organisation that was meant to get young people out of the gangs through music, dance and art.

Music and breakthrough

In the mid-1970s, inspired by Kool Herc, he organised block parties in the Bronx and became one of the best-known DJs in the neighbourhood. He played everything that was danceable and helped invent the breakbeat style of DJing. He also founded rap groups, such as Soulsonic Force. In 1982 he released Planet Rock with producer Arthur Baker and Soulsonic Force. It featured a melody from Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express, rhythms from their track Numbers and a Roland TR-808 drum machine.

Influence

Planet Rock laid the foundation for electro-funk, a blend of electronic sounds and hip hop. That same year Bambaataa went with dancers, artists and DJs on the first hip hop tour outside America, and so he spread hip hop culture around the world. In 2016 he stepped down as leader of the Zulu Nation following accusations of child sexual abuse, and in 2025 he lost a civil case over them. He died on 9 April 2026.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Planet Rock (1982). Notice the cool synthesizer melody from Kraftwerk and the dry claps of the 808 drum machine, and hear how the rappers get a party going on top of them.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsElectro