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Afrika Bambaataa, 1 of nan progenitors of hip-hop whose breakthrough way “Planet Rock” helped specify electro-funk and power generations of artists, has died according to friend and chap personnel of nan Zulu Nation, Mick Benzo. He was 67.
“Two days ago, I said pinch Afrika Bambaataa and recovered him successful precocious spirits,” wrote Benzo successful a societal media post. “Today, however, I began receiving calls astir his passing. Concerned, I reached retired to him but received nary response. My worries deepened, and I was heartbroken to study it was true—he had peacefully fallen dormant and did not aftermath up.”
Bambaataa’s communicative goes backmost to nan dawn of hip-hop.
In nan 1970s, he began hosting artifact parties passim nan South Bronx that gave emergence to groups including nan Jazzy 5, nan Soulsonic Force and nan Universal Zulu Nation, an world hip-hop taste group founded by Bambaataa. The Nation’s members and affiliates done nan years person included immoderate of nan astir influential artists successful rap history.
His breakout deed was nan 1982 “Planet Rock,” a groundbreaking electro-funk deed inspired by groups for illustration Kraftwerk, whose “Trans-Europe Express” contributed a synth loop to nan track.
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In nan mid-eighties, Bambaataa appeared arsenic himself successful nan movie Beat Street. His “Frantic Situation” besides appeared connected nan soundtrack. Around nan aforesaid time, he was 1 of those who contributed to nan Artists Against Apartheid medium Sun City. He besides collaborated pinch James Brown connected a way titled “Unity.”
In 2016, Bambaataa was accused of molesting teen successful nan 1980s. Other accusations followed, which he denied. As a result, nan Universal Zulu Nation disassociated itself from its founder.
