Il Messaggiere - Pioneering US hip-hop artist Afrika Bambaataa dies at 68

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	0.14%	21.84	$
CMSD	0.41%	22.11	$
BCC	1.31%	76.38	$
NGG	-0.53%	79.97	$
RELX	-3.36%	35.42	$
RBGPF	0%	69.21	$
BCE	-0.09%	21.68	$
RYCEF	-1.59%	19.55	$
GSK	-0.74%	51.69	$
RIO	-0.34%	96.85	$
JRI	0.69%	12.96	$
BTI	-1.71%	60.65	$
AZN	-1%	169.64	$
VOD	-2.28%	15.78	$
BP	2.21%	45.22	$

Pioneering US hip-hop artist Afrika Bambaataa dies at 68 / Photo: Scott Gries - Getty Images North America/Getty Images/AFP/File

Pioneering US hip-hop artist Afrika Bambaataa dies at 68

CULTURE 09.04.2026

Groundbreaking US hip-hop artist and DJ Afrika Bambaataa, known for his 1982 hit "Planet Rock," has died at age 68, his former record label said Thursday.

Text size:

"With his passing, we reflect on his contributions to the genre and broader culture, which continue to this day," Tommy Boy Records said in an Instagram post alongside a picture of Bambaataa.

Celebrity news site TMZ, citing unnamed sources, reported that Bambaataa died from complications of cancer at about 3:00 am (0700 GMT) Thursday in Pennsylvania.

T.Abato--IM

Il Messaggiere - Pioneering US hip-hop artist Afrika Bambaataa dies at 68

Pioneering US hip-hop artist Afrika Bambaataa dies at 68

Featured

Google rolls back new satellite image AI tool after backlash

A side of oysters for France's flat-out firefighters

Tyla drops Lagos show as South Africa, Nigeria row over immigration

UK singer Boy George pulls out of musical after pro-Israel song backlash