April 10, (THEWILL) — Afrika Bambaataa, one of the founding figures of hip-hop culture, has died at the age of 68.
He died on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Pennsylvania due to complications from cancer, according to reports.
In a statement, the Hip Hop Alliance said he helped shape a “global movement rooted in peace, unity, love, and having fun,” highlighting his role in hip-hop’s emergence as both a musical genre and a cultural force.
Born Lance Taylor in the Bronx, New York, he co-founded the Universal Zulu Nation in the 1970s. The group aimed to promote creativity and steer young people away from violence.
He later gained global recognition with his 1982 hit “Planet Rock”, which helped define the sound of hip-hop in the 1980s.
Throughout the 1980s and beyond, he collaborated widely with artists including James Brown and John Lydon.
He also contributed to politically conscious projects such as the anti-apartheid song “Sun City” in 1985.
In later years, his legacy was overshadowed by allegations of child sexual abuse and trafficking. He denied the accusations, saying they “are baseless and are a cowardly attempt to tarnish my reputation and legacy in hip-hop at this time”.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
