The 50 Most Influential DJs

Afrika Bambaataa was one of the first adherents of fellow Bronx forefather Kool Herc's break-beat revolution. Afrika's South Bronx parties and performances helped hip hop grow from seed to full-fledged tree. In 1982, Afrika and his crew, the Soulsonic Force, released the touchstone track "Planet Rock," an invaluable rap classic that helped pave the way for techno, house, electro, jungle and other dance-music genres. Meanwhile, Afrika's Zulu Nation crew, a former street gang turned hip hop think tank, counts A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers and other Afrocentric rap icons as members.

   (Photo: Wikicommons)