Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCarsen HoladayFriday 10 April 2026 02:47 BSTThe rapper and DJ died at a hospital in Pennsylvania from complications due to cancer (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)Pioneering hip-hop artist and DJ Afrika Bambaataa, whose legal name was Lance Taylor, died Thursday at age 68 in a Pennsylvania hospital from complications due to cancer.Bambaataa was a foundational figure in early hip-hop, known for his influence on the electro genre and co-founding the Universal Zulu Nation, releasing hits like "Planet Rock."His legacy is complicated by multiple allegations of child sexual abuse and trafficking that emerged starting in 2016, which he denied.Despite denying the claims, Bambaataa stepped down as head of the Universal Zulu Nation in 2016 following the allegations.He lost a civil lawsuit in 2021 after failing to appear in court, leading to a settlement payout for sexual abuse and trafficking allegations, though no criminal charges were ever filed.In fullAfrika Bambaataa death: Hip-hop pioneer and DJ dies at 68 after cancer diagnosisThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in