Renowned US hip-hop artiste and DJ Afrika Bambaataa, best known for his 1982 hit “Planet Rock,” has died at the age of 68, his former record label confirmed on Thursday.
“With his passing, we reflect on his contributions to the genre and broader culture, which continue to this day,” Tommy Boy Records said in an Instagram post alongside an image of Bambaataa.
Celebrity news outlet TMZ reported that Bambaataa died from complications related to cancer at approximately 3:00 am (0700 GMT) on Thursday in Pennsylvania.
Born Lance Taylor in the housing projects of the Bronx borough of New York City, the hip-hop icon began his career by hosting block parties and drawing inspiration from early electronic music.
After coming of age during a period marked by gang violence, Bambaataa co-founded the Zulu Nation in 1973, using hip-hop as a platform to promote peace and unity.
“As the founder of the Universal Zulu Nation, Afrika Bambaataa helped shape the early identity of Hip Hop as a global movement rooted in peace, unity, love, and having fun.
“His vision transformed the Bronx into the birthplace of a culture that now reaches every corner of the world. His imprint on Hip Hop history is undeniable and will forever remain part of the culture’s origin story,” said artiste Kurtis Blow, who leads labour advocacy group the Hip Hop Alliance.
Blow also noted that Bambaataa’s “legacy is complex and has been the subject of serious conversations within our community.”
Bambaataa faced allegations of sexual assault from individuals who claimed they were minors at the time of incidents said to have occurred in the 1980s and 1990s. He denied the allegations and was never criminally convicted.
In 2025, Bambaataa lost a civil abuse case after failing to appear in court.