One of the pioneering figures in the realm of hip-hop has passed away in the early morning hours, as per reports. Renowned as a key figure in the 1980s, US artist Afrika Bambaataa, also known as Lance Taylor, is widely acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of the genre.

Sources have informed that the DJ, rapper, and music producer succumbed to complications from cancer at approximately 3 am today in Pennsylvania, USA, just a few days shy of his upcoming birthday on April 17, as reported by TMZ.

During the 1980s, this music icon released a series of electrifying tracks, notably the chart-topping “Planet Rock,” which not only shaped the genre but also had a profound impact on the evolution of hip-hop culture. Often cited as part of the ‘Holy Trinity’ of hip-hop pioneers alongside DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash, Bambaataa left an indelible mark on the music scene.

In 1985, he collaborated on the anti-apartheid album “Sun City” with notable artists such as Bono, Bob Geldof, Lou Reed, and Bruce Springsteen.

Despite his influential contributions, Bambaataa’s legacy was marred in his later years by a series of serious allegations, including child sexual abuse and sexual trafficking dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.

In 2025, he settled a lawsuit with a man who accused him of sex trafficking during the 1990s, following his failure to appear in court, leading to a default judgment against him.