Hip-Hop Pioneer Afrika Bambaataa Dies At 68; Global Tributes Pour In

Afrika Bambaataa, the pioneering hip-hop DJ and founder of the Universal Zulu Nation, has died in Pennsylvania at the age of 68 following a battle with prostate cancer, according to his lawyer. Widely credited as one of the architects of modern hip-hop, he rose from the South Bronx in the 1970s and helped shape the genre with iconic tracks like “Planet Rock” and his innovative use of breakbeats and the Roland TR-808. While tributes from fans and peers highlight his massive influence on global music culture, his legacy has also remained controversial in recent years amid long-standing sexual abuse allegations, which he denied.