Visionary DJ, who helped to define hip-hop in late 1970s, had a classic hit with 1982’s “Planet Rock”. Afrika Bambaataa was a seminal Bronx DJ in the 1970s. He rose to godfather status with 1982’s “Planet Rock”, a hip-hop classic that combined the beats and hip-hop with technopop futurism inspired from Kraftwerk. Bambaataa, who began recording in 1980 was hip-hop’s most prominent DJ. He was also an organizer and promoter for the block parties that were held during the mid-to late ’70s, which helped to presage the rise of rap. He stopped recording electro-oriented rap after “Planet Rock” was a success, and instead focused on fusion. This is evident in his singles with James Brown and ex-Sex Pistol John Lydon. Bambaataa was already in the background of hip-hop by the late 1980s. But the rise of his Zulu Nation group — which included Queen Latifah and A Tribe Called Quest — saw him once again being considered one of rap’s founding fathers. Afrika Bambaataa Aasim was born in the Bronx, April 17, 1957. His name is a tribute to a 19th-century Zulu chief. Bambaataa started organizing block parties and breakdancing contests in the Bronx as early as 1977. Many hailed him as the best DJ in the industry due to his excellent turntable skills and music knowledge. His record debut, as a producer, was in 1980 with Soul Sonic Force’s “Zulu Nation Throwdown”. This single was a rallying cry to the Zulu Nation. It was a group Afrocentric musicians that gained popularity in the late 1980s, but had been influential in the rise of hip hop crews since the late 1970s. Afrika Bambaataa was not a recording artist until 1982, although he had more production credits on several other singles in 1980-1981. His first single, “Jazzy Sensation”, was released by Tommy Boy Records. “Planet Rock” was his next single and it quickly became a huge hit. Recorded by Arthur Baker, a producer/dancefloor expert and assimilation of Kraftwerk’s melody “Trans-Europe Express,” this single hit number four was recorded.
