Afrika Bambaataa, born Lance Taylor (1957–2026), was an American DJ and music producer recognized as a key figure in hip-hop music. He is credited as a pioneer of breakbeat deejaying, marked by repeating fast-paced drum samples, and is often called one of hip-hop’s “godfathers,” along with DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash.
Bambaataa founded the Universal Zulu Nation in 1973, an organization focused on Afrocentrism, self-improvement, and community service. His block parties in the mid-1970s were known for his turntable techniques and extensive record collection, leading to the nickname “Master of Records.” In 1982 he released “Planet Rock,” an electro-funk track that became his biggest hit. In 2013 Cornell University acquired Bambaataa’s collection of more than 30,000 recordings.