Afrika Bambaataa Dies at 67, Cause of Death Revealed

Afrika Bambaataa, an American DJ, rapper, and record producer who was a groundbreaking figure in the development of modern hip-hop, has died. He was 67 years old.

Born and raised in the Bronx River Projects, the son of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants was an early adoptee of socially conscious rap music, influenced by his black liberation movement activist mother and uncle. Originally a "warlord" member of the Black Spades group in his home city, a trip to Africa during his adolescence inspired him to create The Bronx River Organization as an alternative alliance, using hip-hop music to spread his message of solidarity and Zulu-influenced philosophy with local youths, as part of the Universal Zulu Nation.

Bambaataa began hosting block parties throughout the South Bronx as part of the movement, later making a name for himself in early electronic music, creating a number of club hits that found commercial success, including his first single, "Zulu Nation Throwdown", and the #4 R&B chart hit, "Planet Rock."

Bambaataa's influence was international, with the DJ helping to coordinate the anti-apartheid album Sun City along with Joey Ramone, Run–D.M.C., Lou Reed, and U2. Additionally, he helped organize a charity concert at London's Wembley Stadium in 1990 for the African National Congress (ANC), to commemorate Nelson Mandela's long-awaited release from prison.

The hip-hop icon's legacy in recent years, however, has been marred by controversy and legal issues. From 2016, several men came forward, notably in an investigative article by Vice, to claim that Bambaataa had sexually abused them as children, said to have occurred over several decades.

Last year, Bambaataa lost a civil trial on a sex abuse claim from an anonymous victim, accusing the star of sex trafficking him in the 1990s. He was ordered to pay a settlement after a judge issued a default judgment when he failed to turn up to the trial. According to TMZ, the music pioneer, whose real name is Lance Taylor, died from "complications of cancer" in the early hours of Thursday in Pennsylvania.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual abuse, you can contact the U.S. National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE), a free and confidential 24/7 service operated by RAINN.Alternatively, you can visit rainn.org for online support.