Looking For The Perfect Beat (Vocal) / Looking For The Perfect Beat (Instrumental)

“Looking for the Perfect Beat" is a song by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force. The song was produced by Arthur Baker and John Robie and was the follow-up track for the group following "Planet Rock". The track was released in December 1982 and was later ranked number 13 among the "Tracks of the Year" for 1983 by the NME.

The Soul Sonic Force an Electro-Funk and Hip-Hop group led by Afrika Bambaataa included Mr. Biggs (Ellis Williams, b.1960), Pow Wow (Robert Darrell Allen, b. unknown), The G.L.O.B.E (John Miller, b. unknown) and DJ Jazzy Jay (John Byas, b. 1961). The Soul Sonic Force began as a nine-piece affair with MC’s gradually dropping out, including Lisa Lee who would remain with Bambaataa as part of Cosmic Force. Bambaataa goes on to appear on four hugely influential singles, “Zulu Nation Throwdown Part 2”, “Planet Rock”, “Looking For The Perfect Beat”, and “Renegades Of Funk”. Pow Wow, in turn, had a hand in producing “Planet Rock”, while G.L.O.B.E. was responsible for patenting the ‘MC popping’ technique, a description he preferred compared to rapping. It involved him dropping in and out of rhymes at short notice, which produced a unique sound effect that resembled ad-libs. He was also responsible for many of the group’s lyrics. The Soul Sonic Force adapted musical and fashion styles that resembled the fashion of Sly and the Family Stone and Parliament-Funkadelic. Many members of the Zulu Nation dressed in African-style clothing, pan-African colors, and many other cultural garbs from other countries around the world.