Hip-Hop Pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, Founder Of The Zulu Nation, Dies At 67

Superstar disc jockey and producer Lance Taylor, professionally known as Afrika Bambaataa, who is recognised as one of the founders of hip-hop culture, has died at 67. He died on April 9 in Pennsylvania as a result of complications from cancer, TMZ reported, mentioning a source.

The DJ’s death was also announced on Facebook by the international hip-hop awareness group he founded, Universal Zulu Nation.

The post read: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Afrika Bambaataa, a pioneering architect and global ambassador of Hip Hop culture.

“Revered as the Godfather of Hip Hop, Bambaataa was instrumental in organizing, shaping, and elevating the culture from its earliest days in the Bronx into a worldwide movement rooted in the principles of Peace, Unity, Love, and Having Fun,” the post read, adding that through his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment, he helped transform Hip Hop into a powerful force for expression, community building, and social change and his legacy is permanently embedded in the foundation of Hip Hop history.

Bambaataa, who was raised in the Bronx, came to prominence in the 1970s through parties he hosted that helped define the sound and culture of hip-hop.

Following this, the artiste released a succession of influential electro tracks in the 1980s and is largely recognised as one of the founders of breakbeat DJing.

His work with the Universal Zulu Nation, along with Bambaataa, contributed to spreading hip-hop culture globally.

The Hip Hop Alliance posted on social media stating that Bambaataa’s legacy is complex amid claims from several men that he had sexually abused them when they were minors, accusations he denied. He eventually stepped down from his leadership position in the Universal Zulu Nation in 2016 following the accusations.