Afrika Bambaataa and The Soulsonic Force at Stages

“Planet Rock” was the hit single from Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force released in 1982. The lyrics encouraged the idea of coming together and having fun. Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force, along with producers Arthur Baker (b. 1955) and John Robie (birthdate unknown), released “Planet Rock” in April 1982 which innovated hip-hop and electronic music by being the first and most notable group to use synthesizers and the TR-808 drum machine. The New York Times named “Planet Rock” as the most influential Black pop record of 1982 and it eventually became a certified Gold record. “Planet Rock” remains a sampling staple in the hip-hop community and continues to influence innovation in music with the wide use of drum machines found in many subgenres of hip-hop such as Miami Bass and Trap Music.

The Soul Sonic Force also 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 and who would appear on four hugely influential singles, “Zulu Nation Throwdown Part 2,” “Planet Rock,” “Looking For The Perfect Beat,” and “Renegades Of Funk.” Pow Wow also 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 over rapping, where he would drop in and out of rhymes at short notice producing 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 countries around the world.