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The Soulsonic Force

The Soulsonic Force

Pioneering electro-funk crew whose 1982 anthem 'Planet Rock' helped invent hip-hop's future.

APPLE MUSIC

Planet Rock

The Soulsonic Force

VIDEO · APPLE MUSIC

Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force

Planet Rock

About

MOODS · electro-funk · early hip-hop · futuristic · dancefloor · pioneering · synth-driven · block party energy · genre-defining · rhythmic · boundary-pushing

BIOGRAPHY

Soulsonic Force formed around Afrika Bambaataa (Lance Taylor), who began DJing New York hip-hop parties in 1977 and founded the Universal Zulu Nation, a collective of socially conscious rappers, B-boys and graffiti artists. The group grew out of roughly twenty Zulu Nation members and featured rapper Mr Biggs, scratch DJ Jazzy Jay, Pow Wow and G.L.O.B.E., the latter credited with patenting the 'MC popping' vocal technique. In 1982 the crew released 'Planet Rock,' blending German electro-pop, British rock and African-American disco rap into a worldwide hit. Their 1986 album 'Planet Rock: The Album' went gold and helped spark the electro-boogie subgenre. Pow Wow died in April 2025; Afrika Bambaataa died in April 2026.

WHY THEY'RE COOL

Soulsonic Force's 'Planet Rock' fused Kraftwerk-style electro-pop with disco rap and rock energy to create a blueprint for electro-funk and, eventually, Miami bass. Rick Rubin called it 'one of the most influential songs of everything... it changed the world,' and Slant Magazine ranked 'Planet Rock: The Album' among the best albums of the 1980s. Later artists paid tribute directly: Rage Against the Machine covered the group's 'Renegades of Funk.' G.L.O.B.E.'s stuttering 'MC popping' style also left a lasting mark on rap vocal delivery.

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