Hip-hop legend Afrika Bambaataa has died at 67.

The pioneering DJ, born Lance Taylor in the Bronx, passed away Thursday in Pennsylvania from complications of cancer, multiple outlets, including Newsweek and TMZ, confirmed.

Widely known as one of the grandfathers of Hip-Hop, Taylor turned block parties into a global cultural force with his breakbeat mastery and the 1982 electro banger "Planet Rock."

He founded the Universal Zulu Nation, pushing peace, unity, love, and community—values that spread from the streets of the South Bronx to stages worldwide. The Hip Hop Alliance called him key to defining the genre's early identity, crediting his work alongside DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash.

His creative influence wasn’t just on music, but it also touched music, fashion, dance, and activism. Tracks like "Planet Rock" fused Kraftwerk samples with funk, laying the groundwork for everyone from Public Enemy to EDM producers today.

His legacy was marred by controversy, however, after allegations of child sexual abuse, dating back decades, came to light in 2016. As TMZ shares, he paid out a settlement in 2025 after he was accused of sex trafficking him in the 1990s. A judge issued a default judgment when Taylor didn’t appear in court.

This is a developing story.