Afrika Bambaataa dead at 67
by Jessica Inman · UPIApril 10 (UPI) -- A pioneering force in hip hop, Afrika Bambaataa, has died, multiple media outlets reported. He was 67.
The DJ's death was confirmed by a member of Bambaataa's Universal Zulu Nation, Mickey Bentson.
"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 statement reads. "Through his vision, leadership and unwavering commitment, he helped transform hip hop into a powerful force for expression, community building and social change."
TMZ reported that Bambaataa died of cancer complications.
Bambaataa is perhaps best known for his 1982 song "Planet Rock," contributing to Sun City and working with James Brown on "Unity."
"Because of his leadership in transforming the Bronx from a battlefield to a park jam, most people think of DJ Afrika Bambaataa as the architect of hip-hop," said Michael Holman per the New York Times. "So, the world owes a debt to him, and hip-hop culture owes a debt to him."
In 2016, Bambaataa was accused of sexual abuse. While those allegations were dropped, some 12 other men have since come forward with similar claims.
Bambaataa has denied wrongdoing.
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