Departures of note

Born Lance Taylor in the Bronx to Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, he grew up amid the city’s gang culture and later joined the Black Spades, rising to a leadership role. A trip to Africa and exposure to the film Zulu inspired him to adopt the name Afrika Bambaataa and to redirect his energy toward music and community building through the Universal Zulu Nation.

In the early 1980s Bambaataa hosted block parties that drew youths away from gangs and introduced them to hip‑hop. He formed the groups Jazzy 5 and Soulsonic Force and released the groundbreaking electro‑funk single "Planet Rock" in 1982, which fused Kraftwerk‑inspired synthesizers with hip‑hop beats and helped define the electro genre. His innovative use of electronic instruments and drum machines reshaped DJing and production practices.

Bambaataa’s influence extended internationally as he led the first hip‑hop tour abroad, promoting the values of peace, unity, love and fun. He mentored countless artists and helped popularize hip‑hop culture across Europe and beyond. He remained an iconic figure in the movement until his death on April 9, 2026, at the age of 68.